Trey Songz is known to put on quite a show and when his Chapter V World Tour rolled into the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City, he held to his reputation. With 2 newly Grammy nominated openers on the bill, there isn’t any show with as much hype around it that meets up to the hype (Rihanna-777 was a failed experiment.) At the end of the night, Songz proved to be top boss by pulling out all the stops and special guests to put together an unforgettable experience for the sold out crowd.

Fan bases not yet familiar with Elle Varner were pleasantly surprised to hear the R&B vocalist floating out beautiful notes as they entered the arena. The one downside to the Chapter V tour may have been the short time allotted to Elle Varner, as many missed her set making their way into midtown. Nonetheless, Varner held her own in a line-up with two of the biggest stars in R&B today with a set list that included, Only Wanna Give It To You, Oh What a Night, I Don’t Care and Refill.

2012 has been a big year for Miguel, and touring with Trey Songz is just another great accomplishment to add to the list. Many fans know Miguel likely has the record of the year in Adorn however no one was quite prepared for his exhilarating showmanship. Miguel ran up and down the stage, doing splits, spins, and various other acrobatics all while sounding precisely as he does on his album. Miguel transitioned from stand out record to stand out record off of his critically acclaimed Kaleidoscope Dream album but the moment that really affirmed his stardom came with the performance of Pussy Is Mine. Miguel ripped open his wine red button up dress shirt to reveal sculpted abs that just may rival his headliner. Ladies swooned as teased them by lowering his pants as low as his pelvic. At the end of the day, everyone in attendance came to the show in part to hear one record, and Miguel did the fans great justice by closing with Adorn. Miguel’s live band truly brought this record to the next level.

After the impressive performances by both of his openers, Trey Songz had great momentum coming into his set. Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healings played throughout the Madison Square Garden theatre as a royal white curtain dropped down in front of the stage signaling the beginning of the show. As Dive In begin to play a silhouette of the crooner appeared through the curtain sending the audience into hysteria. Songz catalog of melodic sing-alongs and up-tempo party records is unrivaled in today’s R&B. Trey built a lusty ambiance with tunes such as Panty Wetter, and Neighbors Know My Name and throughout the night bras and panties were hurled onto the stage. Another special moment was watching Trey sing note for note with his saxophonist who manipulated his instrument to mirror Songz vocal inflictions perfectly.

As the night grew on fans everywhere knew the singer had to have some tricks up his sleeve, but no one was quite expecting to see arguably the hottest rising star in hip hop today appear on the MSG stage. Trinidad James, whose hit single All Gold Everything has amassed millions of YouTube views and listens independently, ran out and either sent knowing fans into delirium or left those out of the loop puzzled. By about a verse into the record, everyone was on the same page dancing vigorously to the anthem.

The last twenty minutes of Trey’s show was special as he elevated the level of energy with club banger after club banger. Trey performed the fan favorite Check Me Out alongside a video of a dancing/rapping P Diddy, and then paid homage to the New York audience by bringing out Brooklyn native Fabolous for a performance of Say Ahh. As Trey and Fabolous addressed the audience, women’s undergarment began raining on stage once again.

Trey wasn’t done after bringing out both Fab and Trinidad, and shocked fans once again as he pulled out Young Jeezy to aid him in his performance of Hail Mary. By this point a shared feeling was thrilling disbelief, and there was no debate who owned the stage of this magical evening. Just when you think he’s out of steam, Songz bursts into Bottoms Up before closing the show with Two Reasons.

For R&B lovers everywhere, Trey Songz Chapter V Tour is a dream come true. Trey called New York his best performance, and it might be the best show New York City has enjoyed all of 2012. Be sure to catch the three-headed monster of Elle, Miguel and Songz in a city near you.

-Recap by Gregory Calvaire