As the sun set on Union Park on Sunday, a Forever Mine festival attendee from Canada exclaimed, “I’ve been waiting since grade 9 for this!”

She was referring to Kaytranda, who, along with Monica, headlined day two of the inaugural festival in Union Park dedicated to R&B and house music. Shaggy was originally slated as a third headliner, but was removed from the schedule without explanation, prompting one too many “it wasn’t him” jokes based on his 2000 hit single.

Day one of the event, led by Keyshia Cole, Kelly Rowland and Juvenile, appeared to go off without a hitch.

The excited Kaytranada fan said the Haitian-Canadian producer, 33, had a knack for picking the perfect R&B singers for his electronic dance beats. She was right; he played a vigorous set of songs featuring Syd, Rochelle Jordan, Kali Uchis (who headlined the nearby Sueños Music Festival the night prior), Teedra Moses, Victoria Monet and Chicago’s own Ravyn Lenae. He not only embodied the fest’s tagline, “where R&B and house fall in love,” but served as the perfect act to bridge generations.

Kaytranada performs on day two of the Forever Mine music festival in Union Park, Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Steeped in Y2K nostalgia, the weekend saw throngs of millennials reliving their youths, but Kaytranada beckoned a younger crowd to celebrate the long legacy of Black music.

“You know I always gotta come back here,” said Kaytranada, who also made kissing noises to the audience. “I love y’all and I appreciate y’all.”

Clearly a serious student of his predecessors, the producer is both a nerd and the life of the party. A hip-hop head, Kaytranda played his songs featuring a variety of rappers, from Phonte to Childish Gambino. He showed off some impressive moves while DJing, sliding, twerking, kicking, posing and even doing push-ups onstage. He nearly sent the crowd into a frenzy when he removed his jacket at one point.

Kaytranada performs on day two of the Forever Mine music festival in Union Park, Sunday, May 24, 2026.

He also led the audience in fist-pumps and chants (“Kaytra, Kaytra, Kaytra!”). They cheered when they heard songs they recognized and sang along to those with lyrics. But the beats alone were enough to keep them dancing all night. A different fan seemed surprised and excited by how well he kept her attention.

“He doesn’t even sing!” she screamed multiple times.

Kaytranada was preceded by Monica, who had a more subdued, though no less entertaining set. Before delivering an emotional rendition of her hit “Angel of Mine,” she shared some heartbreaking news about her ill father.

“The doctor says there’s nothing else they can do for my dad,” she told the crowd. But she said she didn’t want to miss the show and disappoint the festival-goers because “y’all showed up for all of us.”

Monica performs on day two of the Forever Mine music festival in Union Park, Sunday, May 24, 2026.

That moment is indicative of Monica’s career as an artist who always shows up authentically, sharing the “pain, hurt, highs and lows” for three decades, as she explained to the crowd.

“I just never stopped singing,” she said. “And y’all stayed right by my side.”

Despite the sad news, Monica presented an enjoyable, nostalgic set reminding everyone of her rich voice, timeless hits and down-to-earth personality.

Monica performs on day two of the Forever Mine music festival in Union Park, Sunday, May 24, 2026.

The show was considerably stripped down; Monica was onstage either alone or with just a few dancers and backup singers. Instead of a flashy outfit, she opted for a brown shirt, shorts and jacket, which she switched out for a camo-print coat at one point. Without any distracting visuals, the audience could focus on her voice and songs detailing her milestones of her life, from heartbreak (“U Should’ve Known Better,” “Street Symphony,” “Before You Walk Out of My Life”), love (“So Gone,” “Love All Over Me” and “Why I Love You So Much”) and more (“The First Night”). A standout moment was her heartfelt performance of “For You I Will,” as the attendees raised their phone flashlights in the air.

Taking a break from the ballads, Monica thrilled the crowd with fun, high-energy performances of “Everytime Tha Beat Drop” and “Knock Knock,” which she danced through.

“Oh, y’all like to have fun, huh?!” she told the crowd, whose energy seemed to temporarily lift her spirits.

“Chicago is a special place and y’all are special people,” she said.

Fans dance as Monica performs on day two of the Forever Mine music festival in Union Park, Sunday, May 24, 2026.