Melissa Etheridge and Joss Stone brought a bit of classic rock to MGM Music Hall last Sunday evening. Opening the night in Boston was British soul star Joss Stone, visibly pregnant and seated center-stage on a plush chair. Stone delivered a warm, intimate set that felt like a soulful house concert. Even sitting down, her voice remained powerful and controlled, and halfway through she stood to rock out on a few of her bigger tunes. From her blush-colored armchair she eased fans into the evening with timeless covers and originals, showcasing her wide range and impeccable tone.

When Melissa Etheridge took the stage, the mood shifted into high gear. MGM Music Hall was fully seated for this show (a format locals jokingly dub an “old person show”), but Etheridge made sure no one stayed in their seat. From the opening chord of “Ain’t It Heavy,” the crowd was on its feet, dancing on all three levels of the venue. The Grammy-winning rocker radiated a magnetic, electric presence befitting a legend of her status.

Etheridge’s setlist balanced classic hits and new material. She breezed through fan favorites like “Come to My Window,” “Bring Me Some Water,” and “I’m the Only One,” sounding every bit as gritty and raw as her early records. An early highlight was “I Want to Come Over,” which she introduced with a sly smile before tearing through the hit that feels as fresh now as it did when was released 30 years ago.

The whole night underscored why Etheridge has stayed an active performer in the industry for so long. Her voice was gravelly and full-bodied, her guitar solos scorching, and the fans hung on every word. By closing with her signature “Like the Way I Do,” the floor was a full blown hootenanny, proving that this rock-and-roll legend hasn’t lost a single spark of her fire.

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