'We love you, Cincinnati.' Ice Cube crashes 2025 Music Fest, introduces Earth, Wind & Fire

The Cincinnati Music Festival returned to Paycor Stadium on July 25, bringing the Queen City another night full of unforgettable performances.

Funk, soul and R&B legends, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Anthony Hamilton, Jazmine Sullivan and more, had the crowd on their feet as they took over the Bengals' field Friday night.

Dayton's very own Zapp Band kicked off the show by proving to audiences that "ain't no party like a Zapp Band party." Then, Maroon 5 keyboardist PJ Morton hit the stage doing what he does best: tickling the ivories while crooning to some soulful tunes.

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The Cincinnati Music Festival then transformed into Ladies Night when powerhouse R&B vocalist Jazmine Sullivan graced the stage. Sullivan's signature raspy voice riled up all the scorned women in the stadium as she sang about love, heartbreak and revenge.

Earth, Wind & Fire, dubbed the "greatest band in the world" by Sullivan, brought the house down with their eclectic fusion of soul and funk sounds supported by their approximately nine-person ensemble as fireworks from Great American Ball Park lit up the skies.

For the grand finale, singer, songwriter and actor Anthony Hamilton turned the dial down a few notches with a seemingly endless medley of southern R&B fitting for the festival's sophisticated, older crowd.

The festivities continue at Paycor Stadium on July 26, with headliner LL Cool J and special guest Toni Braxton. But before then, here are the highlights from night two of the 2025 Cincinnati Music Festival .

Cincinnati Music Festival 2025: 5 biggest moments from Paycor Stadium's July 25 show

Ain't no party like a Zapp Band party

The Zapp Band had the stadium pumped up for night two of the Cincinnati Music Festival, energizing the crowd with its unique voice-box technofunk sound and matching light-up suits.

The Dayton band, which became famous in the 1970s, filled its set with a variety of theatrics and gimmicks that thoroughly entertained me. Their performance included multiple costume changes, a harmonica solo, surprise backup dancers dressed as referees, a quick sermon and moment of silence, and an homage to "California Love" by Tupac Shakur, which samples the band's 1982 hit "Dance Floor" and founding member Roger Troutman's 1981 song "So Ruff, So Tuff," according to Genius .

And they did it all while grooving to the band's futuristic synth hits such as "Computer Love," "More Bounce to the Ounce," and "I Want to Be Your Man." The only thing missing was a surprise performance from Cincinnati's own master of funk, Bootsy Collins .

Near the end of their set, the pioneering funk band thanked the Queen City for showing them some love, saying, "Cincinnati knows how to party."

They also told the crowd to make so much noise that they'll "hear you all the way up in Toledo."

PJ Morton takes audiences to church during night two of the Cincinnati Music Festival

Morton is more than just the keyboardist for pop band Maroon 5. He is also a five-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and record producer, which he more than proved to audiences on July 25, while playing a variety of original R&B songs and a few Gospel covers.

Morton talked about winning his fifth Grammy award in 2024 for his song "Good Morning" featuring Susan Carol, which he proceeded to perform live. He also reminisced about collaborating with his hero Stevie Wonder in 2013 on a song called "Only One," which he encapsulated with a performance of the modern classic.

He then closed out his set by singing a powerful duet and engaging in a little vocal sparring with background singer Jazmin Crumley.

Jazmine Sullivan sings to all the scorned ladies at Paycor Stadium

Jazmine Sullivan might have been the only female headliner for the festival on July 25, but the "Insecure" singer made sure that the women in the audience felt represented through her performance.

Sullivan, known for her deep, raspy voice, wide vocal range and emotionally raw lyrics, explored themes of love, revenge, self-worth, male validation and breaking the cycle of acceptance, while performing a compilation of her biggest hits, including "10 Seconds," "Bust Your Windows," "Need U Bad," "Pick Up Your Feelings," "In Love with Another Man," "Lions, Tigers & Bears," "Girl Like Me" featuring H.E.R. and more.

Sullivan's unique blend of contemporary R&B, soul, gospel and reggae influences gave quiet storm , late-night radio vibes, especially as a vibrant orange and red sunset transformed the upbeat evening into a moody night illuminated by smartphone flashlights.

Ice Cube makes a surprise appearance at the Cincinnati Music Festival to introduce Earth, Wind & Fire

Before Earth, Wind & Fire continued the "party in the Nati," legendary rapper and actor Ice Cube surprised fans by appearing on stage to introduce the six-time Grammy-winning band . His unexpected appearance also served as a promotion for his Big3 basketball league , which is scheduled to play games at Heritage Bank Center on July 26, the last night of the Cincinnati Music Festival .

I want to thank everybody for supporting, first of all, supporting me for 40 years in the business," the rapper said. "We love you, Cincinnati. Thank you for hosting the Big3. Thank you for supporting the homeboy Ice Cube. Thank you, P&G. We love y'all.

After Ice Cube welcomed the legendary Chicago band on stage, the nine-member ensemble launched into a non-stop medley of soul and funk jams, including "September," "Fantasy," "Shining Star," "Let's Groove," "That's the Way of the World," "Boogie Wonderland," and more.

During their set, Earth, Wind & Fire electrified the crowd once again and had people boogying for what seemed like ages. Even I had to take a break from my diligent note-taking to butcher a couple of verses from my favorite song, "Reasons."

After more than five decades in the music industry, Earth, Wind & Fire is still one of the best-selling R&B bands of all time, according to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame , and it's not hard to imagine why.

Although Earth, Wind & Fire was the penultimate act of the night, in my opinion, their performance was the highlight of the festival. The group danced and sang on stage like it was the '70s again (even though many of the band's senior members are in their mid-70s).

Their masterful performance, full of energy and theatrics, had fans of all ages on their feet, proving that no matter how old you are, you can still get your groove on.

As I sat high in the nosebleed seats with the summer breeze and soulful melodies wafting over me, I found myself agreeing with a statement my mother, Gina Ogwude, often repeated throughout my childhood when playing Earth, Wind & Fire (her favorite band of all time).

"This is when music was good."

Anthony Hamilton almost put me to sleep, but in a good way

Praising himself as the "narrator of love," Anthony Hamilton's performance at Paycor Stadium was the embodiment of a late-night radio show. His sultry, deep voice, endless vocal loops and comments to the crowd about "slowing things down" almost put me to sleep, but in a good way, I suppose.

I must admit I was not an Anthony Hamilton fan before his performance at CMF. I only knew his 2003 hit "Charlene" before he took over the stage. Honestly, I can't say that I'll be running to turn on the neo-soul singer's music in the future.

But for one night, I was taken away by his hypnotic R&B tunes and calming stage presence. After a long night on my feet, I welcomed the brief reprieve as Hamilton gently lulled me into a blissful daze with his gravelly, southern sound.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: "We love you, Cincinnati." Ice Cube crashes 2025 Music Fest, introduces Earth, Wind & Fire

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Members of Jane's Addiction sue singer Perry Farrell for $10 million - and he sues them back

The action of Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins follows a 2024 onstage altercation that ended their tour.

Key points

• Dave Navarro, Eric Avery, and Stephen Perkins are suing their former Jane's Addiction bandmate Perry Farrell.
• Farrell is suing the three musicians in a separate lawsuit.
• The group canceled their tour after an onstage altercation between Farrell and Navarro.

Three members of Jane's Addiction are suing the lead singer Perry Farrell — and he sued his former bandmates a few hours later in a separate lawsuit.

Following an onstage altercation in September 2024 This led to the band's breakup, guitarist Dave Navarro, bassist Eric Avery, and drummer Stephen Perkins filed a lawsuit against the vocalist in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday.

In the band's complaint, which has been reviewed by Entertainment Weekly , Navarro accused Farrell of assault and battery, while all three musicians alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and indemnity and contribution. The bandmates are seeking at least $10 million in damages.

Farrell's lawyers responded to the suit's allegations in a statement to EW.

This is yet another clear example of the group uniting to isolate and bully frontman Perry Farrell," said the singer's attorneys. "The timing of this baseless lawsuit is no coincidence — it was filed only after they caught wind of legal action coming from our side. It's a transparent attempt to control the narrative and present themselves as the so-called 'good guys' — a move that's both typical and predictable.

Meanwhile, Navarro's attorney, Christopher Frost, shared his own statement.

"Dave, Eric, and Stephen never wanted it to come to this. But they have been wronged, want the accurate story told, and they deserve a resolution," Frost said. "Ultimately, with the attack on Dave Navarro seen around the world, Perry Farrell abruptly and unilaterally ended all the plans for a Jane's Addiction revival. He also left his bandmates holding the bag for an unfulfilled tour and record deal, as our lawsuit explains in detail."

In a separate lawsuit, Farrell accused Navarro and Avery of assault and battery, and all three of his ex-bandmates of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and breach of contract/bylaws. The suit was filed alongside the singer's wife, Etty Lau Farrell, and Wilton Hilton, the band's touring company, as plaintiffs. The vocalist's complaint argues that Navarro and Avery instigated the Boston altercation.

Farrell's complaint alleged that the band members "have sometimes been antagonistic towards each other," accusing them of "a campaign of harassment and bullying of Farrell to try to undermine him during his onstage performances." The complaint claimed that Navarro and Avery "unlawfully escalated the altercation into real physical violence" in Boston, and that the three musicians overruled the vocalist by pulling the plug on the tour.

Frost responded to Farrell's complaint in a separate statement: "If there is a question about what to believe, you can believe the video we've all watched. Today's complaint from Perry, including his account of events backstage after the September 13 show, is revisionist history. It won't stand."

The band made headlines last year when Farrell appeared to throw a punch at Navarro during a performance in Boston, which fans captured on video . The encounter caused Avery and crew members to step in to create distance between the vocalist and the guitarist, and unceremoniously ended the show.

"This weekend has been incredibly difficult and after having the time and space to reflect, it is only right that I apologize to my bandmates, especially Dave Navarro, fans, family and friends for my actions during Friday's show," Farrell wrote on social media after the incident. "Unfortunately, my breaking point resulted in inexcusable behavior and I take full accountability for how I chose to handle the situation."

The altercation led Jane's Addiction to once again disband , canceling the rest of their U.S. tour.

"Due to a continuing pattern of behavior and the mental health difficulties of our singer Perry Farrell, we have come to the conclusion that we have no choice but to discontinue the current US tour," the other members of the band said in a statement. "Our concern for his personal health and safety as well as our own has left us no alternative. We hope that he will find the help he needs."

In their complaint, the band accused Perry of throwing "a wild punch" at Navarro, and that the musicians were "rightfully afraid and uncomfortable to perform" alongside Farrell following the altercation.

"It was also abundantly clear that Perry was in no condition to continue the Tour on which he had struggled to perform," according to the lawsuit.

In his own complaint, Farrell claimed that the other band members frequently turned their instruments' volume levels up so that he wouldn't be able to hear his vocals as "a means of bullying." This would cause the singer to increase his in-ear monitor volume, leading to "advanced hearing loss." Farrell claimed that Navarro intentionally increased his guitar's volume to aggravate the singer in Boston.

However, the trio's lawsuit rejected that explanation for Farrell's frustration, claiming that the singer "refused to attend any rehearsals" and that he never asked the crew or his bandmates to adjust the volume levels on stage. Their complaint noted that "there would be no benefit" to making Perry "look bad" on stage as they mounted a reunion tour.

In the vocalist's account of the Boston altercation, he merely "reacted" to Navarro's excessive volume by "body-checking" the guitarist, at which point Navarro and Avery responded with "an inappropriate violent escalation." The complaint also claimed that Navarro "menacingly charged at and aggressively assaulted" Farrell and his wife backstage after the initial scuffle.

The singer's complaint later claimed that the band's statement about the incident was "defamatory" due to its insistence that his supposed "mental health difficulties" made him "somehow a danger to himself and to them."

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The other members' complaint also alleged that the incident disrupted Jane's Addiction's plans for a new album, for which they had already released two songs with Farrell and recorded eight more without him. Since the band claims they are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations to deliver a new album to Warner Music subsidiary ADA, they say they owe a repayment of their advance from the label.

As a result, the trio of musicians is seeking damages, citing the loss of profits that would have come from album sales and the canceled shows, as well as "expenses incurred in connection with the Tour" and "diminished value of the Band's intellectual property."

In his suit, Farrell is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages, citing "physical injury due to assault and battery, severe emotional distress and mental suffering," as well as "significant legal, financial and reputational harm" to the band's company.

Updated: This article has been edited to include information on Farrell's legal action and Frost's response to Farrell's complaint.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly

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