New Edition and Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026. Starr Lee/STAFF.
OAKLAND — Soul group New Edition kicked off a 30-date arena tour with Boyz II Men and Toni Braxton on Wednesday at Oakland Arena, bringing together three of the most popular acts of the ’80s and ’90s.
The New Edition Way Tour presented a unique perspective with the R&B groups and Braxton taking multiple turns performing in a production that brought fans close to the action, and even collaborating together.
A dimly lit stage gave way to a lighted platform raising six figures in long coats and matching fedoras. Ralph Tresvant, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill quickly kicked into energetic opener, “We Going Out Tonight.” On another stage, four dancers in gold sheen outfits did their thing as seven-time Grammy winner Braxton, in a matching outfit, rose up among them.
Boyz II Men then appeared in powder blue suits and proceeded to walk to yet another stage. It was a rousing start as the three acts performed the R&B anthem together.
Boyz II Men stayed on the main stage and performed their 1991 hit, “Motownphilly.” Baritone Nathan Morris and tenors Wanyá Morris and Shawn Stockman showed off their dancing ability with choreographed steps and spins as the song highlighted their vocals with classic, street-corner soul harmonies, while the song possessed a percussive rhythm of new jack swing. New Edition’s Bivins, who cowrote the song, came out wearing a Stay Fly Tour Boston denim trench coat and rapped during the bridge.
Next, it was Braxton’s turn as she reappeared for “He Wasn’t Man Enough,” which she delivered in her signature deep contralto with a sharp and confident delivery. As she sang the chorus, she was flanked by two male dancers in gold and black suits, while behind them, the female dancers moved hypnotically to the fast-paced beat. This Darkchild-produced song showed off her assertive and unbothered attitude.
And that’s how the show went, with each act rotating in and out, sometimes collaborating. New Edition (minus Brown) delivered new jack swing classic, “If It Isn’t Love.” Tresvant sang with his smooth, tenor vocals as he prowled the stage, commanding a presence while slowly leaning toward to the crowd. The vocal arrangement highlighted the song’s harmonies for the group widely credited for the modern boy band movement. Of course, that song is also famous for its video, with one-legged spins, back slides, kicks and steps—and the group was still able to pull off those moves.
Soon after, each act and some offshoots —hello, Bobby Brown’s solo career!—took turns on a medley, including New Edition’s “You’re Not My Kind of Girl,” “Hit Me Off” and “N.E. Heartbreak,” which included some pyrotechnics. Boyz II Men’s contributions here consisted of “Please Don’t Go,” “Uhh Ahh” and “4 Seasons of Loneliness.”
Toni Braxton performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Braxton showed off her sultry voice and vocal versatility on “You’re Making Me High,” “How Many Ways,” “Long As I Live,” “Just Be A Man About It” and “Breathe Again.”
Gill then took center stage showed off his gritty, soulful vocals on “Fairweather Friend,” “There You Go,” “My Body” (by LSG, his team-up with Gerald Levert and Keith Sweat), “My My My” and “Rub You The Right Way.” Tresvant shined with his airy performance of “Do What I Gotta Do” and “Sensitivity.”
There was a brief reunion of Bell Biv DeVoe for “Do Me Baby” and ballad “When Will I See Your Smile Again.” It seemed like the New Edition members were on stage separately nearly as much as the Boston-formed group shared the stage together.
Brown’s solo catalog was a clear crowd favorite, getting many out of their seats, singing and dancing along to “Roni,” “Rock Wit’cha,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Every Little Step” and “My Prerogative.”
Boyz II Men then delivered the trifecta of “River Runs Dry,” “On Bended Knee” and “End of the Road,” followed by a touching “One Sweet Day” with the crowd singing Mariah Carey’s parts.
The main portion of the concert wound down with Braxton’s emotional stripped-down rendition of “Un-Break My Heart” as she was raised up on a platform while donning a white dress and angel wings. At the second chorus, the band kicked in, raising the intensity into a pounding heartbeat rhythm. Her angel wings flapped as she pumped her chest in unison with the beat.
Then, in a nod to New Edition’s Temptations-era influences, that group returned in silver blazers and sequined pants to perform some of its early ’80s bubblegum pop songs, “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Candy Girl” and “Cool It Now.”
The concert ended with Bell Biv DeVoe hit “Poison.” Bell began singing the pre-chorus a cappella. From there, the familiar heavy syncopated snare hits, and 808 beats kicked in, and the crowd dug into it as the group began the song in earnest. All of New Edition and Boyz II Men capped the evening on stage together. The show ended with a shower of fireworks as the platform lowered into the stage.
New Edition performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Toni Braxton performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Toni Braxton performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
New Edition performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
New Edition performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
New Edition performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
New Edition performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
New Edition and Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Boyz II Men perform at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
Toni Braxton performs at Oakland Arena in Oakland on Jan. 28, 2026.
About The Author
Glenn Gumin spends his days on a college campus as a higher education administrator involved in academic affairs and student & financial services. After many years of piano lessons, he’s now attempting to learn to play the guitar and ukulele to prepare for island life in retirement. He’s a live music enthusiast who loves to reminisce about shows he attended as a Bay Area teenager and a Midwest college student. He’s also a big supporter of college radio.
Glenn Gumin spends his days on a college campus as a higher education administrator involved in academic affairs and student & financial services. After many years of piano lessons, he’s now attempting to learn to play the guitar and ukulele to prepare for island life in retirement. He’s a live music enthusiast who loves to reminisce about shows he attended as a Bay Area teenager and a Midwest college student. He’s also a big supporter of college radio.
Starr Lee made the jump into concert photography to combine a longtime love of live music and the joy of doing her best to give people FOMO through an image. She’s focused on R&B, hip-hop, and pop music, always chasing the emotion that makes a moment stick. When she’s not editing or at a show, she’s probably curating a playlist or people-watching through her lens.