Mary J. Blige Brings the ‘For My Fans’ Tour to Atlanta: Concert Review

For those who’re a Mary J. Blige fan at a tour referred to as “For My Followers,” you’d higher know what to do, and the way and when to do it. For those who’re singing alongside together with her 2007 hit “Simply Advantageous,” you’d higher belt “Ooooo!” on the high of your lungs after she hits the track’s title six occasions.

In fact, the A didn’t disappoint, and even made a playful however thunderous call-and-response in direction of the tip of the track. The Monday evening present at Atlanta’s State Farm Area was simply the third cease on her first tour since her Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame induction, “For My Followers”, however she’s already in high type. And naturally, her music isn’t the one factor for the followers — she’s received life classes as properly. To kick off the second half of her live performance, a pre-produced video vignette was proven.

“I began to simply accept all of me, each flaw,” she testified within the video. “I began to see — ‘Shit, I’m not that unhealthy.’ The work is accepting you…. I received work to do on me, as a result of I wish to reside. You don’t have to attend till you’re good to really feel price it…”

The lights went low, and MJB got here again out on stage to “Sufficient Cryin” whereas standing between two large statue-like constructions of a lady’s forearms and fingers. The palms of the fingers have been open in a receiving method, and a crown hung above the fingers. A hologram bust of Mary together with her hair tied up in a bun floated above her. She walked slowly, escorted arm-in-arm by two male dancers, towards the entrance of the stage, singing with pressure.

“Don’t wanna play home no extra/ So dumb to assume you gon’ marry me/ I received to be out my thoughts to assume I want somebody to hold me/ I’ve performed sufficient cryin’…”

Whereas a lot of the motion happened on the primary stage, Blige truly began off the evening on a smaller second stage towards the again of the sector. Previous to her arrival, all eyes have been centered ahead, however a lot to everybody’s shock, the spotlights illuminated the smaller stage, the place the home DJ was arrange. Blige rose from beneath the stage in a giant white fur coat, sun shades and silver bodysuit with a hood, waving and blowing kisses whereas the music for “Take Me as I Am” performed.

The followers in that part have been so near the stage, they may truly contact it, and as Blige sang and slowly walked towards the entrance through a runway, she bent over to slap fives and shake fingers of her admirers.

“ATL, I see you!,” she stated after the track completed. “I’ve all the time needed to be within the viewers with the followers. I all the time stated I want I may give all people a giant hug and shake their fingers. It should really feel like a dream! Thank y’all for blessing me, thank y’all for loving me. Y’all prepared?”

She then lanched into “A Dream,” fittingly sufficient. A colossal crown got here down from above onto the stage because the track got here to a detailed — sufficiently big that Mary herself may slot in it. The royal headdress carried the Queen (through wired cables) above the group. Touchdown gently on the mainstage, Mary hit closely together with her mainstays, together with “Mary Jane (All Evening Lengthy),” “I Can Love You” and “No Extra Drama,” dipping sometimes into newer jams from her newest album “Gratitude,” like “Want You Extra” and “Nonetheless Consider in Love.”

Throughout her largest ballads, like “I’m Going Down” and “Not Gon’ Cry,” she let the women within the viewers take over, holding the mic out whereas the viewers crooned in unison.

In the direction of the tip of the latter nevertheless, it appeared like Mary caught the Holy Ghost: “I’m not! I’m not!” she shouted a dozen occasions, like a pastor on Sunday morning. These weren’t track lyrics — she was releasing uncooked emotions.

“You’ll be able to’t make me! I’m not gonna cry! I’ve come too far! I really like my peace of thoughts! You’re not gonna make me cry! I don’t wish to hear that bullshit I used to cry over… It’s a brand new day and I’m a brand new bitch! I’m not gonna allow you to do it to me once more —ever! I’ve come too far… Dry your tears.”

After the track’s conclusion, she stated, “Shiiiit — girls, we’ve come too far. Peace of thoughts is price a billion {dollars} proper now — it truly is.”    

Nonetheless, she additionally instructed the group that she has come to position of therapeutic. She even talked a few transformative dialog she had together with her father, who “deserted” her and sister after they have been younger,, noting that he suffered PTSD from combating within the Vietnam struggle, and she or he forgave him.

However she ended the night on a excessive word with a collection of bangers —  “On a regular basis It Rains,” “Be Pleased” and the finale “Household Affair.” And for the MJB trustworthy, that’s precisely what the “For My Followers” tour is.   

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