Appetite for old-school R&B was alive and well last week in Brisbane, with thousands turning out to attend the 2019 RNB Fridays Live Brisbane show (15 November).
Brisbane Showgrounds was packed to the brim with R&B lovers of all shapes, sizes and ages, boogying the night away despite the balmy, midsummer-like conditions. The concept for the concert series was originally built off the massive hype of Hit Network’s weekly RNB Fridays radio show, which launched in 2014.
Australia’s biggest dance party lived up to its reputation with energy high throughout the night thanks to its biggest line-up yet featuring R&B royalty Janet Jackson, Sisqo, 50 Cent, Brandy, Black Eyed Peas, J-Kwon, Jason Derulo and Keri Hilson.
And of course, RNB Fridays Live wouldn’t be what it is without Fatman Scoop, who returned as host and kept the crowd pumping in between sets, with help from resident DJs Horizon and Yo! Mafia.
Fatman Scoop - image © Charlyn Cameron
J-Kwon kicked the night off and got everyone in the mood with hits from his 'Hood Hop' albums and song 'Tipsy' the obvious crowd favourites.
Keri Hilson is famous in the R&B world for featuring with giants such as Timbaland and his track 'The Way I Am', and Sean Paul’s 'Hold My Hand'. Her most famous collaboration, however, was undoubtedly with Kanye West and Ne-Yo with 'Knock You Down', which had fans reminiscing way back to the early 2000s.
Sisqo was up next and appeared with his signature shaved blonde hair and hip thrusting moves.
For the millennials in the crowd, the famous Sisqo “yeahhhhhhh” was likely lost on them, but for those of us who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s, it brought back memories of high school bumping and grinding and sneaky kisses at social dances. Or maybe that was just me.
Click here for more photos from the show.
It goes without saying that 'Thong Song' still held mass appeal and ultimately turned up the heat for the rest of the acts.
Brandy took it back real old-school and still resembled her teen self when she famously sang 'I Wanna Be Down' with her long braids and denim overalls, crooning away on her backyard swing. The 40-year-old performed effortlessly and reminded everyone why she was the 'it-girl' of R&B back in the '90s and 2000s with hits 'Baby', 'Full Moon', 'Sitting Up In My Room' and 'The Boy Is Mine'.
Brandy - image © Charlyn Cameron
Jason Derulo was the youngest and most recent R&B act to perform among the legends, but held his own with his rock-hard abs and party hits, 'Swalla', 'Ridin’ Solo', 'Talk Dirty', 'F It Up' and hugely popular hit 'Trumpets'.
Jason Derulo - image © Charlyn Cameron
There was even more heat once 50 'Fiddy' Cent hit the stage and got all the ladies going with 'Candy Shop'.
One thing that stood out for all these acts is that they all brought as much energy and quality as they did 15-20 years ago. 'In Da Club', 'P.I.M.P' and 'How We Do' had people of all ages and nationalities singing and went to show the songs universal appeal still to this day.
50 Cent - image © Charlyn Cameron
Black Eyed Peas were hands down the best act of the night and had the crowd going wild from start to finish. Their energy was electric and after performing together for more than 20 years, their succinct, tight set was locked down and of the highest quality.
The trio featured The Voice Philippines winner Jessica Reynoso, replacing former female mega star Fergie (for this tour anyway). While Jessica may not yet have the same sass as Queen Fergie, her voice was equally if not better than her predecessor and she nailed her performance.
'Don’t Stop the Party', 'I Got A Feeling' and 'Where Is The Love' had the crowd jumping and fist-pumping in unison.
Black Eyed Peas - image © Charlyn Cameron
Finally, the queen of R&B and youngest Jackson sibling, Janet Jackson was the headline act and despite receiving mixed reviews from previous shows and rumours of lip-syncing, the 53-year-old delivered in typical Jackson fashion.
The multi award-winning artist still pumped out all the usual dance moves with her most popular songs like 'That’s The Way Love Goes', 'What Have You Done For Me Lately' and 'Best Things In Life Are Free', and even made a tribute to her famous, now passed brother Michael, in her version of their duet 'Scream'.
Review rating: 4.5 stars
