NE-YO and Akon Kick Off Nights Like This Tour at London's O2 Arena

Key facts

• NE-YO and Akon performed three nights at London's O2 Arena as part of their Nights Like This Tour.
• The tour covers music from 2006 through 2016 and into 2026.
• NE-YO opened the show in a flared black suit and fedora, performing hits from his 2006 debut album In My Own Words.
• Akon appeared in an all-white bedazzled outfit, opening with 'Akon’s Beautiful Day' and later playing 'Smack That'.
• The duo reunited for a 'song battle' segment featuring hits they wrote for other artists, including 'Irreplaceable' and 'Just Dance'.
• Akon announced the release date of his new 15-track album Beautiful Day, his first since 2008.
• NE-YO debuted a new country-leaning single, 'Up, Out & Gone', during the show.
• Akon performed inside a blow-up hamster ball, being passed around the crowd.

A Night of Nostalgia and New Beginnings

NE-YO and Akon launched their Nights Like This Tour with a three-night stand at London’s O2 Arena, delivering a marathon set that blended their extensive catalogues into a non-stop playlist. The collaboration united two artists whose music defined 2000s club culture, taking the audience on a journey across three decades—from 2006 through 2016 and into 2026. The stage time was evenly split between the two, offering fans the experience of two concerts for the price of one. Both artists, sometimes overlooked in contemporary R&B, together created a memorable evening that kept the arena on its feet all night.

NE-YO’s Polished Set and Country Turn

NE-YO opened the show in a flared black suit and his signature black fedora, drawing from his 2006 debut album In My Own Words with hits like 'So Sick' and 'Sexy Love'. Accompanied by a jazz trumpet trio, his performance exhibited a polished maturity and sleekness. He then transitioned to tracks from his 2010 album Libra Scale, including 'One in a Million' and the funk-infused 'Champagne Life'. His set resembled an elite gentleman’s club, complete with dancers in bikinis around poles and a memorable moment featuring a woman acting as a human chandelier. Later, NE-YO reappeared in a cowboy hat and tassels for a country fair segment, announcing a new musical direction with his single 'Up, Out & Gone'. The backup singer’s impressive vocals highlighted the soul elements of this new music, though the slower country interlude felt somewhat out of place, breaking the night’s flow.

Akon’s Energetic Performance and Roots

Akon took the stage in an all-white bedazzled outfit behind a montage of his music videos, opening with 'Akon’s Beautiful Day'. His energy was infectious, though his performance was less polished than NE-YO’s. 'Smack That' followed, sparking a rowdy reaction from the audience. He also played earlier tracks like 'Locked Up' and 'Ghetto', bringing the concert back to his roots—a contrast with his more recent Afropop and dance music focus. Akon later embodied the 'play hard' spirit by throwing himself into the crowd inside a blow-up hamster ball, a brave and entertaining move that had fans passing him around. This posed a possible security threat as fans attempted to throw him from one part of the stage to another. After playing 'Lonely', he brought audience members on stage to dance, then projected a Pan-African flag while playing the conga, honoring his Senegalese origins.

Song Battle and Collaborative Highlights

The two artists reunited on stage for a 'song battle' segment designed to showcase their impressive production credits. Hits they helped create were featured, including Akon’s 'Hold My Hand' with Michael Jackson, Lady Gaga’s 'Just Dance', and NE-YO’s 'Irreplaceable' (sung by Beyoncé) and 'Pretty Girl Rock'. The segment culminated in their collaboration with David Guetta on 'Play Hard'. While the concept allowed for banter and quips, the segment felt overly theatrical and at times awkward, resembling a poorly rehearsed play. The night concluded with the pair reuniting for their final hit songs.

Akon Announces First Album in 17 Years

During the show, Akon seized the opportunity to announce the release date of his new album, Beautiful Day. The 15-track project marks Akon’s return to music, blending Afrobeat, pop, and R&B. It is his first album since 2008, ending a 17-year hiatus. Despite their recent releases not yet comparing to the celebrated classics, NE-YO and Akon delivered a night of hit after hit. Their impressive discographies blended together, powering a non-stop playlist that kept the arena on its feet all night.

The bottom line

• NE-YO and Akon’s Nights Like This Tour at the O2 Arena offered a balanced set of each artist’s biggest hits across three decades.
• Akon announced his first new album in 17 years, Beautiful Day, a 15-track project blending Afrobeat, pop, and R&B.
• NE-YO debuted a new country-leaning single, signaling a potential shift in his musical direction.
• The show featured a 'song battle' segment highlighting hits the duo wrote for other major artists, including Beyoncé and Lady Gaga.
• Akon’s crowd-surfing in a hamster ball and Pan-African flag display underscored his energetic stage presence and Senegalese heritage.
• The tour’s success suggests strong demand for nostalgia-driven R&B collaborations, with an extra Dublin date added due to high demand.