Every once in a while, there is a concert I attend that completely blows me away. The New Edition Way Tour stop in Greensboro, NC was certainly one of those shows. The immediate synergy of New Edition, Boyz II Men, and Toni Braxton showed that these legends are some of the best-performing acts of all time. The tour, hosted by the Black Promoters Collective, brought decades of memories, milestones, and music that shaped entire households.
This show was one of those where you’d be upset that you didn’t arrive on time. It began with the six members of New Edition rising from the ground to an immense crowd cheers. Soon after, Boyz II Men made their appearance. Lastly, the legendary Toni Braxton came out with her crew of dancers. They all collectively weaved through the opening song, which I enjoyed more than the traditional opener-opener-headliner format that is present at most concerts.
While I had seen New Edition and Boyz II Men perform previously across the last few years, this night was my first time seeing Toni Braxton perform. Each time Toni went up to the mic, the arena filled with so much emotion. One guy in the crowd repeatedly yelled out, “We love you, Toni!”
Toni Braxton, the seven-time Grammy Award-winning R&B singer, turned each one of her sets into a full stage production, with unique costumes and a stage full of dancers. One of her most intimate moments came during her hit song, “Un-Break My Heart”, in which she came onto the stage alone, raised on a platform and wearing angel wings.
Boyz II Men’s sets were full of energy and serenading to the thousands of women in attendance. Between the carefully choreographed dance routines and the individual admirations towards members of the crowd, the Boyz II Men trio put on quite a performance that melted the hearts of everyone there. Especially those who were lucky to receive a rose from current members Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, or Nathan Morris.
New Edition of course did what they do best. It was exciting seeing all six members on stage at once, delivering great harmonies and smooth choreography. From ballads to uptempo classics, the prototypical boy band from Boston showed why they’ve been one of the best groups since they debuted.
A big highlight for me was the individual sets the members of New Edition performed. From Johnny Gill’s “My, my, my” to Bell Biv Devoe’s “Do Me!” to Ralph Tresvant’s “Sensitivity”, each member shone when the spotlight was brightest on them individually. Of course, the great Bobby Brown showed he still has it as well. His solo sets engaged the crowd, and he even performed a couple of little dance moves to great applause. It was great seeing him perform hits like “Roni” and “Don’t Be Cruel” live.
My favorite thing about shows like this is the fact that the crowd is fully engaged throughout the night. Of course, people will have their phones out, but the audience spent most of their time singing and dancing along with the three acts. Well, not to mention a whole lot of screaming when their favorite acts sang directly towards them.
For Greensboro, this was more than a Thursday night out, it was a reminder of how powerful R&B can be when it’s performed by the very voices who built the foundation. The New Edition Way Tour honored, lived in, and invited everyone in the building to be part of its history.
