Heavy rain pounded downtown Indianapolis on Feb. 19. Inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse, however, the only storm that mattered was onstage.
The New Edition Legacy Tour arrived as a summit of R&B excellence, uniting Toni Braxton, Boyz II Men, and New Edition for a near-capacity crowd that understood the assignment. This was not nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It was a reminder of catalog, craft, and cultural staying power.
Despite the downpour, entry was smooth and efficient, a testament to arena staff who kept lines moving with little disruption. Once inside, anticipation hummed. The audience reflected three generations, many of whom grew up with these songs as emotional markers of first love, heartbreak, and celebration.
The evening’s format elevated the experience. Rather than a sequence of isolated opening acts, the production felt curated and cohesive, weaving performances together into a shared celebration.
Braxton opened with the quiet confidence of a veteran who has nothing left to prove. Draped in her signature elegance, she moved through “Another Sad Love Song” and “You’re Makin’ Me High” with control and restraint. “Un-Break My Heart” and “He Wasn’t Man Enough” transformed the arena into a choir. Phone lights shimmered across the stands, and her deliberate, measured phrasing reminded the crowd why her voice remains one of the genre’s most distinctive instruments. It was not theatrics that carried her set, but command.
If Braxton set the mood, Boyz II Men widened it into a communal celebration. Dressed sharply and vocally airtight, the trio delivered harmonies that remain remarkably intact decades removed from their commercial peak. “I’ll Make Love to You” and “End of the Road” drew couples closer and prompted full-throated sing-alongs. The group’s economy of movement allowed the music to lead. Their strength, as always, lies in blend and balance.
Then came the headliners.
New Edition’s entrance was unified and deliberate. Opening with early hits like “Candy Girl” and “Cool It Now,” they tapped into youthful exuberance before transitioning seamlessly into the maturity of “Can You Stand the Rain,” a fitting selection given the weather outside. More than four decades into their career, their choreography remains sharp, their pacing controlled.
A standout moment arrived when Johnny Gill stepped forward. Armed with roses, he moved to the edge of the stage, serenading fans and handing flowers to those within reach. The response was immediate and deafening, a visceral reminder of the group’s enduring pull.
From a media vantage point close to the stage, the camaraderie was evident. Members watched one another perform from the wings, exchanging smiles that suggested genuine respect rather than routine obligation. That authenticity added texture to the production.
The lighting design was polished but occasionally conservative. During several ballads, a more intimate or varied palette could have deepened the emotional resonance. Still, it is a modest critique in a show anchored firmly by substance.
Tickets were not modestly priced. Resale listings hovered around $150 for entry-level seats, with premium sections climbing much higher. Yet the value proposition was clear. The evening delivered a Top 10 singles catalog, Grammy-winning artistry, and generational impact across three acts. Patrons were not purchasing a single performance; they were investing in a living archive of R&B.
By the final bow, the rain outside had eased. Inside the arena, the warmth lingered. For one night, Indianapolis was more than a tour stop. It was host to a reunion of architects who shaped the sound of modern R&B and proved they still reign.
Contact Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, indianapolisrecorder.com.
Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
