Bruno Mars at Bank of America Stadium

The Romantic Tour 2026

Bruno Mars brought pure magic to a sold out show at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte NC on Wednesday night, delivering the kind of polished, joy-fueled performance that shows exactly why “The Romantic Tour “has been packing stadiums across the country.

The evening opened with DJ Pee Wee, the alter ego of Grammy winner and multi-hyphenate Anderson. Paak, who has lately added “film director” to his résumé with K-POPS—a heartfelt, music-driven story inspired by his life with his son. The film opened in theaters earlier this year and hits Netflix on May 30, but on this night, Pee Wee was behind the turntables, serving up an exhilarating DJ set mixing old-school funk, 90s hip-hop, and dance anthems. His charisma and rhythm set the tone perfectly, getting the crowd on its feet long before Mars ever hit the stage.

Another strong opener, Leon Thomas, brought smooth vocals and his signature neo-soul sound, grounding the night with a blend of R&B warmth and showmanship. Together, the two openers created a dynamic prelude that made the packed stadium buzz with anticipation.

The lights go out and Bruno Mars finally appeared, he did so with cinematic flair opening on video in a chapel before bursting into “Risk It All,” the first track off his latest album The Romantic. What followed was two hours of exciting entertainment. Bruno Mars lit up Bank of America Stadium with a performance that felt less like a concert and more like a fully immersive experience. From the moment he stepped onto the stage in a striking red suit, with gold flowers embroidered down the sides and matching red pants along with gold chains hanging from his neck and a big gold belt buckle it was clear the night would be built around a bold, unified vision and the audience rose to meet it.

What made the show unforgettable wasn’t just Mars’ undeniable stage presence or his flawless vocals, but the atmosphere created between him and the crowd. Everywhere you looked, red dominated the scene. Many women in the audience wore red dresses, some adorned with red flowers in their hair, giving the night a romantic, almost cinematic feel. Couples leaned into the theme as well, showing up in coordinated red silky outfits, accessorized with gold chains that shimmered under the stadium lights. It felt like everyone had become part of the performance even featuring the ANGLE BABY CAM with fans showing off and flirting with the camera on the big screen.

Mars fed off that energy effortlessly. His charisma, smooth dance moves, and tight band arrangements brought a retro-soul vibe that matched the aesthetic perfectly. The red-and-gold theme evoked passion, luxury, and old-school romance, turning the massive stadium into something that felt surprisingly intimate.

Mars commands the stage switching from piano to congas to guitar. It’s rare to see a performer blend retro influences with such fresh vitality. Between the silky grooves, confetti cannons, and the fireworks

The attention to detail from wardrobe to crowd participation elevated the show beyond just music. It became a shared moment, where artists and audience blurred together into one cohesive, stylish celebration. Bruno Mars didn’t just perform that night he created a world, and for a few hours, everyone in Bank of America Stadium was living in it.

The setlist balanced high-octane hits with slower, soulful moments, showcasing Mars’s versatility as both a performer and a musician.

Photos provided by Connor McCollam and Daniel Ramos