Pain, passion and partying all the way through—- clouds and chilly rain may have loomed outdoors, but thousands of fans enjoyed the heartwarming soul of newcomer Ro James and co-headliners Maxwell and Mary J. Blige, who regaled the nearly packed-out Dallas’ American Airlines Center on Friday night.

Mary J. Blige was the first up of the two co-headliners: digital screens broadcast an assortment of the tabloid-esque headlines that have plagued her before and after her contentious divorce. Wearing head-to-toe black, her trademark shades and the new platinum-blonde pageboy, Blige launched into a new song on her upcoming CD, Strength of a Woman, and then led the venue through an hour and a half of her career’s most beloved hits. “Something about this song always makes me want to move!” she proclaimed before “Just Fine,” “You Bring Me Joy” and “Love Is All We Need.” Song titles, images and graphics enhanced each of Mary’s performances, which were also infused with praise and gratitude for her loyal legion of fans: “Dallas is always lit and off the hook, I love you all so much!” she exclaimed. “I’ve got nothing but love for the men in here, but I can only relate to and speak for my women.”

In-between spirited renditions of “Happy,” I Can Love You,” “Enough Cryin'” and “Take Me As I Am,” Mary revealed vulnerability beneath her customary armor: she didn’t mention her soon-to-be ex or the upcoming legal battle, but she heartily dispensed self-esteem mantras and relationship advice throughout (“It takes a whole lot for strong women like me to fall in love, much less say ‘I love you.’ So once we do, we have got to be your only queen.”) and could barely contain her composure through the most ironic numbers in her set (“Not Gon’ Cry,” “My Life” and her latest hit, “Thick of It”). “I hate what I’m going through,” Mary confessed emotionally. “I’ve never hurt like this before. All this heavy, dark BS hanging over my head all the time, please pray for me y’all.”

But that confession didn’t mean Ms. Blige couldn’t party it up: “Sweet Thing” allowed the audience to “work that Chaka Khan inside of you” and “Family Affair” concluded her set on a celebratory note: “To my die-hard, never left, riding since 1991 fans, y’all came out tonight with the crazy energy, you all are my family!”

Maxwell kicked off his hour-plus set by gliding down the stage ramp to center stage: long and lean in an immaculately-cut suit, the Brooklyn-born neo-soul man opened with newer cuts like “Bad Habits” before sharing a healthy dose of the classics (“Lifetime,” “Whenever Wherever Whatever.”) Mr. Rivera utilized an enviable vocal range and like Blige, also made great use of the visual technology, infusing his poignant smash,”This Woman’s Work,” with images of recently-departed icons and soldiers in civil rights. He was cool and charming throughout, promising to “break furniture and blow your weaves back” as he held fan’s hands, flirted and swiveled his hips suggestively through “Get To Know Ya,” “Til’ The Cops Come knockin” and “Fortunate,” which morphed seamlessly into the late Prince’s “Adore” and Stevie Wonder’s “Ribbon In The Sky.” “This is one of the best shows we’ve ever done Dallas—and I’m not up here tryna kiss your [expletive], I’m being real about it,” he chuckled. “Thank you all for letting me love on y’all for the last 20 years.”

Ro James was open, engaging and frequently thanked his seasoned tourmates for his first tour and told the adoring audience about his pastor father, the Cadillac he received as his first ride and eclectic influences ranging from Stevie Wonder to Prince to David Bowie. He sung “Holy” to figuratively sprinkle the venue with blessings and ended with the skillfully-rendered hit “Permission”: “Just like my favorite drink,” Mr. James said with a sly grin, “I’m smooth…..with a punch.”