Everybody has their thing. For some it is designer clothes, expensive food, travel, hobbies, etc. For me it is definitely concerts. I love music and have wide and eclectic music tastes. Anyone who has ever been in my car can confirm that there is no telling what you will hear playing. I truly enjoy seeing people perform live. Even when someone is not one of my favorite artists I can still enjoy and appreciate the artistry involved in live shows. 2022 was the first year since the pandemic that we were able to get back to some shows and I must admit I still feel nervous at large shows or being around so many people.
Culture Tour
The Culture Tour featured all 6 members of New Edition, Charlie Wilson, and Jodeci. We got inside late and missed part of Jodeci’s set. I was sorry about that because what I did see was great. I have always wanted to see Charlie Wilson and Uncle Charlie did not disappoint. But the stars of the show literally and figuratively were the men of New Edition. They all looked and sounded good (yes even Bobby). They performed solidly for an hour singing hit after hit from them as a group and from their individual careers. This was not the first time I have seen New Edition and will not be the last (I already have tickets to see them in March). But this was them at the top of their game. Loved it!
The Full Circle Tour
This tour featured Babyface and Kem. Sadly, we all assumed Kem was the opening act and got there a bit late – only to discover that we had missed a portion of Babyface’s set. What we did see was fantastic. He performed his own hits plus a medley of the many, many songs he has written for other artists. His discography is impressive, and his show was thoroughly entertaining.
I like Kem’s music, but I thought this show was very boring. Babyface was a hard act to follow and Kem’s music is not lively, so I’ll cut him some slack. But after this show I feel no need to see Kem perform live again.
Last Stop on the Love Train Tour
This was the Ojay’s final tour and also included El Debarge and Gladys Knight. El Debarge was the opening act. I thoroughly enjoyed him. He was definitely the low budget artist and had no band – just him and the tracks BUT he looked and sounded great. The music was lively, and he put on a good show. I’d love to see him (maybe the whole group?) again. Gladys did a great job. It’s hard to believe she is in her 80s! She moved like a woman half her age and her voice still sounds fantastic.
Eddie Levert was ill so we were a little nervous at first but the guy filling in for him was good. If you weren’t looking you might not have even noticed that it was someone else. The Ojay’s were another group where it was hard to believe how old they are. They sounded good and put on a fun and energetic performance. I have a sneaky feeling this won’t be their last tour.
Jeffrey Osborne
I have liked Jeffrey Osborne since I first saw him perform on New Year’s Eve in, I think, 1997. Since then, I’ve seen him perform maybe one other time. I was delighted that he was in town when my parents were visiting. We had a great time at a new venue for me. He put on a fantastic show. He never stopped singing from the moment he took the stage. I guarantee that when he is in town again, I will be there!
R&B All Black Party
What better way to end out the year but at a concert. The crew and I headed out to see this nostalgic show featuring artists from our younger days, Hi Five, Silk, Ginuwine, 112, Dru Hill, and Bobby Brown. Let’s start with the highlights. I lived the venue. It was the new arena on UMBC’s campus. No bad seats in the place. I loved being back on campus which was the first place I called home when I moved to the US.
I liked the line-up. At first the show was being kept moving. There was a fun MC and DJ between sets. I enjoyed Hi-Five, Silk, and Ginuwine. I tend to like concerts with multiple artists because then people get on sing their hits and move on 🙂 Ginuwine definitely could have used a longer set. He was singing one or two lines from some of his songs to make sure he was done in the time allotted to him. 112 was fine – forgettable for me but others enjoyed them. And then the wheels fell off the bus.
There was a long delay waiting on Dru Hill. When they came on the show seemed non-cohesive and a bit chaotic. They seemed rushed and left without singing several of their more popular songs. Then there was dead air. The DJ was playing music but no hype or anything. The lights came on they were packing up. People began leaving. Others of us were wondering where was Bobby. Bobby finally came out. It was late, people were tired, and he began singing a rock sounding song that no one knew, and people began leaving in droves. He actually sounded fantastic. He was dancing but whoever approved this set list may need a new job. I actually felt bad for him at he performed to a largely empty venue. If this had been the first time I had seen him, I would never care to see him again. I have seen him many times, so I am going to give him some grace and hope for better in March when he is hopefully with New Edition.
2022 was a good concert year. I went to 5 concerts and saw 15 artists in a mixture of venues. New Edition solidified itself as the act I have seen the most times since I have seen them as a whole or in various configurations maybe 8 times dating all the way back to my grad school years. I’m looking forward to 2023. I already have tickets to one concert (Of course, New Edition!) and am interested in several more! Can’t wait to see what fun music nights are ahead!
