Review: New Edition, Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton showcase the power of R&B at Kia Forum during Grammy weekend
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In the midst of Grammy weekend, New Edition’s L.A.tour stop at the Kia Forum on Saturday was a forceful statement on longevity and a reminder never to underestimate the power of R&B.
Seeing all six members of the iconic vocal group on stage for a sold-out crowd more than four decades after their careers began reflects a group still fully present, with a visible love for the music they continue to perform.Fellow R&B royalty Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton were perfect additions to the lineup of seasoned vets whose music stands the test of time.The crowd at the Kia Forum reflected the wide reach of New Edition’s impact, with longtime fans who are now parents bringing their children to experience the music live, and a younger generation that probably discovered the group well after their heyday through later productions like the BET’s 2017 miniseries, “The New Edition Story.” The audience has expanded beyond the generation that first embraced them.That blend of familiarity and discovery created an atmosphere that felt like a celebration and a family reunion on Saturday night.New Edition commanded the stage with undeniable energy, delivering polished, in-sync choreography, a testament to the foundation laid early on and the lasting imprint of the band’s original manager and choreographer, Brooke Payne.
To open the nearly three-hour concert, New Edition began with a new song, “Going Out Tonight,” joined onstage by Braxton and Boyz II Men, proving there’s still room for something new alongside the classics.Rather than separating each act into its own set, the show unfolded as a rotating hit factory, with New Edition, Braxton and Boyz II Men weaving in and out of the setlist.New Edition anchored the night, returning to the stage repeatedly while making space for solo moments from Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill, as well as a Bell Biv DeVoe segment th...