Brimmed hats, shiny shoes, three-piece suits, kitten heels, and multiple praise breaks—all sound like a lit church service at a Baptist church, right? Well, it turns out those same ingredients are what make for a sold-out Anthony Hamilton concert featuring Avery Sunshine. The show, held at MGM National Harbor in National Harbor, Maryland, set the tone from the moment you entered the theater, giving "grown and sexy date night" vibes.
The night kicked off with an electrifying performance by singer, songwriter, and pianist Avery Sunshine. She brought the energy needed to warm up the crowd, captivating us with her sultry, bluesy voice. The "Say My Name" artist made it a family affair, performing alongside her husband on guitar and her son, a Berklee College of Music graduate, on drums. Sunshine dazzled us with her vocal runs, scatting, and melody arrangements, taking us on a musical journey that ranged from wanting to rush home with our man, to thanking God for waking us up, to celebrating being unapologetically Black.
Although Avery has been in the industry for nearly 30 years, the R&B artist beamed with gratitude as she announced her first-ever Grammy nomination for her So Glad to Know You album. She paid tribute to the queens who paved the way, singing popular hits like "All Night Long" by the Mary Jane Girls and "Proud Mary" by Tina Turner, while also reminding us that she has hits of her own. The Chester, PA native, who will star in Godfather of Harlem this coming summer, made it clear that R&B is alive and thriving.
If “too cool for school” had a face, it would be Anthony Hamilton. Anthony strutted onto the stage in a white suit and black brimmed hat, accompanied by The Ton3s (aka The Hamiltones), exuding a swag that had the ladies going wild. He immediately got the crowd on their feet, opening with Jill Scott's chart-topping duet "So In Love," followed by more love ballads like "The Point of It All" and "Her Heart." Fans of true R&B were treated to a trip down memory lane as The Ton3s serenaded the audience with classics like Blackstreet’s "Before I Let You Go" and DeBarge’s "All This Love," prompting everyone to sing at the top of their lungs.
After a quick wardrobe change, Anthony returned to the stage in his signature country-boy chic look, maintaining the high energy from earlier. He closed the night with hits like "Po’ Folks" and "Charlene" and even led a quick praise and worship session. Hamilton’s connection to his fans was palpable throughout the show, from hearing the crowd sing every lyric to his heartfelt interaction with fans in the audience. As a published author and true performer, Hamilton earned a well-deserved 10/10 for stage presence—singing live while dancing is no easy feat, and his dedication to artistry shone brightly.
If you want to experience this love letter to R&B, Anthony Hamilton has another show tonight at The Lyric Theatre in Baltimore and will perform on February 14 at EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, VA.
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