(May 14, 2026) COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Black Expo (OBE) is proud to announce a historic milestone for the 2026 Riverfront Cultural Fest. On Saturday, May 23, 2026, the legendary British R&B group Loose Ends, featuring original lead singer and songwriter Carl McIntosh, will take the main stage at Genoa Park. This landmark performance marks the group’s first scheduled U.S. concert appearance since 2006.
As the first R&B UK group to penetrate the U.S. market, Loose Ends redefined the global R&B landscape in the mid-80s, becoming the first British band to top the Billboard R&B charts with their timeless anthem, “Hangin’ on a String (Contemplating).” Under the direction of McIntosh – the producer and voice behind the group’s most iconic hits including “Slow Down,” “Choosey,” and “Watching You” – the group helped pioneer the sophisticated “Brit-Soul” sound that influenced a generation of Neo-Soul and New Jack Swing artists.
“I’m proud to be part of an organisation such as Ohio Black Expo, which continues to support and uplift African Americans through culture, business, education, and community empowerment,” says McIntosh. “What they are building is truly inspiring, spreading the spirit of Black excellence throughout the community while providing the care, support, and understanding needed to encourage growth and opportunity across Ohio. It is an honour to be invited to be part of such an important and inspiring event, and I’m truly looking forward to sharing this experience with everyone attending.”
The performance serves as the centerpiece of the 2026 Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Cultural Fest, a two-day celebration of Black excellence that draws over 20,000 attendees to downtown Columbus. Fans from across the Midwest and beyond are expected to travel to the heart of Ohio to witness this rare, once-in-a-lifetime reunion with the band’s sophisticated urban sound.
Event Details:
What: Loose Ends (featuring Carl McIntosh) Live at the Ohio Black Expo
When: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Where: Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., Columbus, OH 43215
More information is available at OhioBlackExpo.com
“Bringing Loose Ends to the Columbus riverfront is a full-circle moment for soul music lovers,” said Sherri Hamilton, CEO of the Ohio Black Expo. “To have Carl McIntosh choose our stage for the group’s first U.S. performance in nearly 40 years is a testament to the Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Cultural Fest’s growing influence as a premier destination for Black culture and global artistry.”
In addition to the Saturday night performance, the Ohio Black Expo: Riverfront Cultural Fest will feature national recording artists October London, Dead Prez and DJ Monie Love among others. Attendees can also enjoy the “Taste of the Expo” food row, and a dedicated STEM Family Zone, all further cementing the weekend as the largest gathering of its kind in the state.
