SiR’s Hollywood Bowl Homecoming Was Fit For An Inglewood King

SiR radiated the power of legacy in his Hollywood Bowl headlining debut. On Sunday (July 20), the R&B singer took the stage in front of thousands of fans, family, and friends to a deserved standing ovation, which both welcomed him in the beginning and cemented the concert’s magnitude in the end as the last song permeated the venue. 

Leon Thomas opened the R&B Summer Serenade and signaled an evening where both men could prove their worthiness of carrying the “King” of the genre title. In fact, Ty Dolla $ign claimed the regal recognition for the former Nickelodeon star days before the show. As the first act, the 31-year-old relished in the success of his breakout single “Mutt” and showcased his diverse skill set on the microphone, guitar, and percussion.

Channeling the dual spirits of rock and roll and R&B, Thomas delivered solid renditions of fan-favorite records, which included “Vibes Don’t Lie” and the aforementioned hit record, which he noted as “the song that changed my life.” Ty even joined him on stage and opted not to perform much vocally to keep the attention on his collaborator and investment. 

With nearly perfect timing, Leon Thomas’ opening set ended, creating a window for a brief intermission for SiR to arrive just as the sun set on the outdoor concert hub surrounded by peaceful California wilderness. In a sheer white blouse, what appeared to be deep indigo denim, and freshly styled locs, the California native stood majestically, vulnerable and proud, in front of an adoring crowd who welcomed the singer with spirited cheers and open arms. 

Understanding that the best monarchs have loyal, satisfied subjects, SiR mesmerized the crowd with shirtless crooning, special guests, and recognition for his musical lineage, with his grandmother looking on from the crowd and his brother Davion Farris next to him on stage. 

Special effects smoldered the stage as SiR and his band settled in for a just-over-an-hour-long set. Accompanied by an all-black clad dance troupe, the 38-year-old could not help but smile, that is, in the moments his eyes were not passionately closed as he and his microphone worked in sync, or locked in on the entranced witnesses to his latest career achievement. 

The show included not only SiR’s radiating talent, but a handful of his collaborators also made their way to the Hollywood Bowl to support the Top Dawg Entertainment representative.

Maeta delicately stood center stage for “Out of My Hands,” released earlier this year. He shined when joined by Masego for a seductive performance of their 2017 “Ooh Nah Nah” collaboration. The audience burst with excitement when Jill Scott made a surprise appearance to perform 2019’s “Still Blue.” The Philadelphia-bred star even shared her own new music with the grateful audience, providing a moment for SiR’s shift.

As he returned to the stage, now in a red T-shirt, a humble SiR reflected on being an “Inglewood baby trynna get a little money in his pocket.” The heartwarming moment was intensified by a deep respect for SiR’s mother shared by both the artists and fans. His mother, singer and author, Jackie Gouché-Farris, tragically passed away in 2024 due to complications from a car accident. 

SiR took an emotional bow as he recognized that he and his siblings can continue to “take what she did for a living” and make her proud.

The audience was filled with mostly Black music lovers from South Central, Compton, and, of course, Inglewood, which paid its respect to the matriarch with an endless round of applause and a few honest tears. 

It was in this moment that SiR signaled the show was near its end, that the Los Angeles musician had arrived. He had performed records such as “Fire,” “You Can’t Save Me,” “The Recipe,” “Hair Down,” “D’Evils,” and “John Redcorn,” all of which were belted from various pockets in the sold-out venue from ticketholders who opted to sing along.  

At the end of “LA Lisa” (not performed) from SiR’s acclaimed Chasing Summer album, two women argue against SiR’s claim to be the King of R&B because “that ni**a can’t even move like Usher,” but does that matter?  

As long as his people are protected, his talent respected, his voice heard, and his talent seen, all of which were showcased at the Hollywood affair, SiR is seated comfortably with potential to expand his territory as he pleases. At the Hollywood Bowl’s R&B Summer Serenade, we saw two men who proved that while the king of R&B debate may never end, there is room on the royal court for artists ready with the tools to build their own throne.