Superstar acts had Detroit arena feeling ’80s and ’90s vibes on Friday night.
It was a night for starry-eyed nostalgia — a nearly Eras Tour three-hours worth — as New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton performed hit after hit (after hit after hit after hit) Friday night at a sold-out Little Caesars Arena.
It was not only the three acts but the New Edition spinoffs as well, which means Ralph Tresvant got his time to shine, Johnny Gill got his, Bell Biv DeVoe got theirs, and Bobby Brown nearly stole show with the superstar magnetism he’s still able to exude.
He’s a long way from his late ’80s peak, when he was one of popular music’s biggest stars, period, end of story. But he was undoubtedly the fan favorite among the crowd, largely 50-somethings who grew up listening to “Candy Girl” on the radio; every time he’d put a couple of steps together on stage, the crowd lit up with chants of, “go Bobby! Go Bobby!”
Brown’s smash hits “Every Little Step” and “My Prerogative” — gleefully backed by his New Edition bandmates — came near the close of the show, and best represented the pure joy on display throughout the evening.
It was both a wayback machine and an example of the professionalism and showmanship that was drilled into the New Edition members at an early age and still shines through, more than 40 years after the Boston boys first landed on the pages of teen magazines.
The evening’s program took the form of a mixtape, with all three acts hitting the stage together to open the show and then rotating spots every few songs, rather than a traditional opening act, middle act, headliner itinerary.
That meant a constant flow of entertainment: a group song here, two solo songs here, another group song here, and so on. There was only a brief lull in the action, when an off-stage DJ hyped up the crowd midway through the show spinning hits ranging from Naughty by Nature’s “Hip Hop Hooray” to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” while the acts took a much-needed breather.
New Edition put its best foot forward, presenting themselves as a well-oiled machine, combining Motown-style choreography with ’80s teen idol swagger. They’re the original boy band — everyone from New Kids on the Block to BTS owes them a debt of gratitude — and they looked crisp in their matching ensembles throughout the night.
Upbeat new track “We Going Out Tonight” opened the evening and set the tempo for the night. This was a celebratory affair, both for the crowd and the acts, who played on a stage open to the back of the house, meaning fans were positioned on all sides of the stage.
After the three acts were together on stage, Boyz II Men rolled right into “Motownphilly,” the group’s debut track, which pays homage to both the Motown sound and the cheesesteaks of the now-trio’s hometown. Braxton then took on “How Many Ways” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough For Me” before New Edition came back with “If It Isn’t Love” and “You’re Not My Kind of Girl.”
And the wheel kept spinning: a little Boyz, a little Braxton, and then the New Edition guys took their solo swings.
Johnny Gill was beaming as he ran through “Fairweather Friend” (and later “My My My” and “Rub You the Right Way”) and Bell Biv DeVoe were buoyant on “Do Me!” and “When Will I See You Smile Again,” hits from their 1990 debut album “Poison,” which helped usher in the new jack swing era of pop-R&B.
It was Tresvant whose solo songs lacked spark and represented a lull in the show’s run; he was a better fit with his bandmates, a star supporting player rather than a lead.
Braxton’s deep, husky vocals were in and out of what may have been a dodgy sound mix, but were best put to use on “Unbreak My Heart,” which she performed on a riser while wearing angel wings. Earlier in the night, she dedicated “Breathe Again” to the late Whitney Houston, saying it was Houston’s favorite Toni Braxton song.
Boyz II Men cycled through their hits throughout the night, leading to biggies “One Sweet Day” and “End of the Road” near the show’s grand finale. Group member Shawn Stockman shouted out the Detroit crowd and noted the band’s early days when they were signed to Motown Records; “we tried our best to represent that label as best we could,” he said, “we hope we did you proud.”
New Edition — who performed as a full group both with and without Bobby Brown — were the stars of the night, especially late in the evening (the show ran past the 11 p.m. marker) when performing the trifecta of “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Candy Girl” and “Cool it Now.” Here was a group of guys in their late 50s performing songs they made hits when they were teenagers, still hitting their dance moves and performing with mile-wide smiles on their faces, which were matched by those on the faces of fans.
A full group rendition of BBD’s “Poison” closed the night, a high energy extravaganza for New Edition.
The group has faced its share of ups and downs over the years, but this current tour showcases it in fine form, at the center of a blockbuster package where their legacy shines bright. The years fell away, the drama was set aside, and they were able to be the pure entertainers they’ve always been.
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