Mary J. Blige performs under a giant crown at Xcel Energy Center. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
As a dancer, the 54-year-old superstar seemed to labor a bit. And, even though the tour opened six weeks ago, the show hasn’t hit its stride. The pacing was problematic and seams were showing. Not only were too many songs abbreviated but there were unnecessarily long pauses for outfit changes; either the band and backup singers entertained for as long as seven minutes or, at one point late in the evening, Technician the DJ spun music for five minutes.
At least the most important thing — Blige’s voice — was spot on. It remains as impressive as ever, masterfully expressing passionate R&B with elements of gospel, jazz and hip-hop seamlessly mixed in. It seems so real when Mary J. Blige sings it. That’s why she’s still the queen of hip-hop soul.
Opening the concert were two younger R&B veterans, Mario and Ne-Yo, who recently competed on Fox’s “The Masked Singer.” (Ne-Yo finished in first place in 2023, Mario was runner-up in ‘24.)
In his fast-paced half-hour kick-off, Mario, 38, accompanied by two dancers and recorded music, charmed with “Just a Friend 2002” and “Let Me Love You.”
Ne-Yo, 45, gave one of the most ambitious opening sets in memory, complete with pyro, live video screens and eight hard-working dancers. Dressed in a cowboy hat and red leather duster, he offered an energetic, sweaty 50 minutes that embraced his hits, such as “So Sick” and “Sexy Love,” as well as tunes he cowrote and was featured on including Pitbull’s irresistibly festive “Give Me Everything.”
Ne-Yo gives an ambitious opening set for Mary J. Blige at Xcel Energy Center. (Carlos Gonzalez/The Minnesota Star Tribune)