Tyrese performs at CityWalk. ©Lynn Barker

By LYNN BARKER

Front Row Features

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif.—The bangin’ outdoor concert venue at Universal CityWalk got a one year anniversary treat when R&B singer turned movie star (“2 Fast 2 Furious” and the “Transformers” franchise) Tyrese Gibson (who simply goes by Tyrese) went back to his roots to celebrate his new album “Open Invitation” with a free concert. It’s been five years since he’s dropped an album but the hunk still has “it.”

Before his performance, the handsome artist met with lucky guests backstage as well as the press. He told tales of visiting Universal’s theme park with his family, including experiencing the new Transformers 3-D ride. Later, onstage, Tyrese drummed up fan excitement with impromptu freestylin’.

One feisty blind woman in a wheelchair who had been given a special spot up front said she’d go anywhere to hear Tyrese sing and she could see him “in my heart.”  Fans who purchased Tyrese fan swag got special spots up front as well. The whole audience, young and old, grooved to L.A.’s KISS-FM radio deejays spins and freebie tosses.

Tyrese took the stage all “incognito” in shades and zipped-up black hoodie, only to remove those items one at a time to great crowd (mostly female) response. The former model is still “ripped.” Hits new and old were performed including “Sweet Lady,” “Stay,” “How U Gonna Act Like That?” and his classic “I Like Them Girls.”

It was a fun summer night at the legendary movie studio’s CityWalk locale. If you are in L.A., come on down. There will be free concerts all summer.