Concert Review: Eric Roberson with Alex Harris @ The Birchmere
Two-time Grammy nominee Eric Roberson made a welcome return to one of Northern Virginia’s legendary music venues, The Birchmere in Alexandria, this past weekend. Southern soul singer Alex Harris opened the show. As longtime readers know, Erro is the artist I’ve seen live more times than New Edition.
This run of shows felt special because it fell during Eric’s birthday weekend. A DJ warmed up the crowd before Harris took the stage for a soulful opening set. I was fortunate enough to interview Harris earlier in the week, and it’s always rewarding to discover a new artist and then see them perform live.
Harris opened his impressive four-song set with “Something’s Gotta Change,” quickly winning over the audience with both his vocals and the song’s message. He then transitioned into a cover of “I Wish It Would Rain,” which would have made David Ruffin proud.
That performance set the stage for his current single, “Better.” I’ve been going through a few professional challenges myself, and hearing Harris croon about the weight of a rough day—how the right person can instantly make everything feel a little lighter—resonated deeply, especially with my wife sitting beside me.
Harris also treated the crowd to a cover of Bobby “Blue” Bland’s “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City.” While another singer might have been tempted to incorporate Jay-Z’s version into the performance, Harris wisely let his own vocals do the work. He closed his set with the lush “Falling For You,” leaving a strong impression on an audience that may have been unfamiliar with him before the evening began.
Roberson’s band then took the stage, and despite a few early technical hiccups, they handled the situation like consummate professionals, even improvising a song about the mishap on the spot.
Once Roberson joined them, he spent nearly two hours reminding the audience why he remains one of independent R&B’s most consistent live performers. He opened the show with “Mister Nice Guy,” and as the evening progressed, upbeat favorites like “The Newness” got the crowd on its feet. Roberson also incorporated newer material, including the infectious “Sweeter Than You.”
However, as my readers know, I’m a fan of ballads and slow jams. The evening’s highlight came during an acoustic portion of the show. Accompanied only by his keyboard, Roberson performed snippets of audience requests, including “Too Soon,” “At the Same Time,” and “Dealing.” While there were certainly a few songs I would have loved to hear during this portion of the set, listening to Roberson share the stories behind the music more than made up for any omissions.
That kind of interaction continues to set Roberson apart from many of his peers. He doesn’t simply perform the songs; he makes the audience feel like they are part of the evening.
Three decades into his career, Eric Roberson still shines every time I see him live. Whether he’s navigating technical issues, taking requests, sharing stories behind the songs, or simply enjoying the moment with his audience, he never treats the show like just another routine tour stop.
I’ve seen Roberson perform more times than almost any artist outside of New Edition, and somehow he still finds ways to make each show feel different. If Eric Roberson comes to your city, do yourself a favor and see him live.
Final Grade: A
