Editorial Note — Soraya Alcalá
Lion Babe has always stood out for their ability to merge genres without losing identity, and this Spring 2026 tour reinforces that artistic clarity. Their sound—rooted in soul, electronic textures, and New York energy—translates into a live experience that feels both intimate and expansive. Announcements like this matter because they highlight artists who continue to innovate while maintaining a strong cultural presence.
Lion Babe’s return to the road is a reminder of how essential it is to support acts that push boundaries and elevate the live music landscape.
© Soraya Alcalá · Original Editorial Note
Lion Babe announces their Spring 2026 tour, bringing their signature blend of soul, electronic, and R&B to stages across the United States
New York, NY –
Critically acclaimed New York duo LION BABE—comprised of Jillian Hervey and Lucas Goodman (Astro Raw)—announce their An Evening with LION BABE tour. Supporting their latest project, House of LION BABE (2024), the run launches May 14 at Toronto’s Great Hall before heading to Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Los Angeles. Produced in partnership with BSide, a platform championing independent creators, the intimate sets will showcase the new album, career-spanning classics, and first-ever live performances of brand-new music.
The announcement builds on a global performance legacy that has seen the East Coast originators share stages with Erykah Badu, Nas, Nile Rodgers, The Roots, Common, and Bryson Tiller, deliver standout sets at Coachella, Glastonbury, Lollapalooza, and headline AFROPUNK globally.
Fuelling this next chapter, the creative tandem will soon release their new single, “Oops (Oh My).” A sleek reimagining of Tweet’s 2002 Timbaland-produced classic, the track infuses the original with the group’s signature club sensibilities. Driven by Hervey’s magnetic vocals and Goodman’s sophisticated production, the single serves as the first taste of their highly anticipated forthcoming LP.
LION BABE shares, “Tweet’s ‘Oops (Oh My)’ has always felt ahead of its time — soft, sexy, and boldly centered in self-possession. Reimagining it gave us the chance to pay tribute to a song we love while giving it our own pulse and energy. We wanted this version to feel like a summer release of joy, sensuality, and freedom.”
Since their 2012 emergence, LION BABE has redefined the independent artist trajectory, blending ’70s and ’90s R&B with forward-facing electronic production. Their debut single, “Treat Me Like Fire,” marked an immediate cultural shift—amassing 500K views on WorldStarHipHop in just three days and growing into a cornerstone record with over 42M Spotify streams and a major sync in Grand Theft Auto V. Built on the strength of that first release—the first song Hervey ever wrote—they drew early support from Disclosure, who championed the track on Gilles Peterson’s show. This ignited a lasting creative bond, leading to performances alongside the legendary UK duo in Times Square, as well as Hervey co-writing and performing on their Grammy-nominated album, Caracal.
LION BABE’s debut album, Begin, immediately positioned them as tastemakers, anchored by the Pharrell Williams-produced “Wonder Woman” and the Childish Gambino-assisted “Jump Hi” (5.6M+ views), while fan favorites like “She’s a Lady” (11.4M+ streams) and “Jungle Lady” solidified their early digital footprint. A defining shift into independence sparked a creative renaissance, led by the 30M+ streaming hit “Rockets” with subsequent projects, Cosmic Wind (2019) and Rainbow Child (2021), showcasing an evolving sonic palette with a heavy-hitting roster of collaborators including Bilal, Leikeli47, Ghostface Killah, and Trinidad James. Extending into sports culture, their 2022 hit “Harder” ft. Busta Rhymes landed in NBA 2K and was celebrated with a Barclays Center halftime performance, while their Curtis Mayfield cover of “Move On Up” served as a signature anthem for the NFL Draft. Most recently, the duo launched House of LION BABE (2024)—a bold direct-to-consumer release featuring the high-energy “Freekish” and a standout reimagining of “Hot In Herre.”
Renowned for immersive, high-energy performances, the independent trailblazers have built a commanding global live presence, with additional festival appearances at SXSW, Sziget, Shambhala, and Essence Festival, as well as a standout performance alongside Alicia Keys at the Black Ball. Their collaborative network reads like a “who’s who” of visionaries, including Mark Ronson, Jeff Bhasker, Raekwon, Snakehips, Vanessa Williams, Junglepussy, and Shermanology—a testament to their versatility and influence.
LION BABE’s reach radiates far beyond the studio. Hervey has long been a defining muse for the fashion and beauty industries—fronting MAC’s Future Forward campaign with her own signature gold eyeliner and serving as a global face for Pantene. Whether walking for The Blonds or collaborating with Michael Kors and H&M, the pair’s presence is a fixture of the fashion week circuit. Their creative DNA extends equally into the art world, where the multi-hyphenate aesthetes move seamlessly from curated performances at the Whitney and Brooklyn Museums to the global stages of amfAR.
Their music remains a mainstay of the cultural zeitgeist, with placements across HBO’s Insecure (for which they recorded the original track “Just Me”), Shrill, and And Just Like That…. A recurring presence on screen, they’ve made high-profile television appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars, Girls5eva, and the Today Show. Deeply committed to the communities that inspire them, LION BABE remains a vital force in LGBTQ+ and Black cultural spaces—headlining Pride festivals from Amsterdam to Los Angeles and Seattle, while championing initiatives like the Ebony Power 100 and the Black Theatre United Gala.
With their An Evening with LION BABE tour approaching and “Oops (Oh My)” on the horizon, the cult favorite New Yorkers signal a sophisticated new era, sharpening their independent legacy while laying the groundwork for an expansive forthcoming LP. As new collaborations unfold, LION BABE remains a singular, taste-defining force, quietly dictating the intersection of music, fashion, and contemporary culture on their own terms.
An Evening with LION BABE – Spring Dates 2026
May 14th – Toronto, ON @ Great Hall
May 21st – Washington, DC @ Transmission
May 23rd – Chicago, IL @ Chop Shop
May 29th – Los Angeles, CA @ Catch One
