I’m usually a fanatic at concerts. Seriously. My friends can attest that I’m typically so excited with hyper energy that I’m up out of my seat dancing, singing every word and I tend to make the folks around me question if I traded a small part of my sanity for my seat at the show. But when I got the opportunity to witness one of my favorite acts in the history of music (Sade) take the stage, I couldn’t even act a fool – and that wasn’t for lack of enjoyment. No, I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the night of smooth R&B and jazz at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte delivered by the incomparable Sade, accompanied by John Legend as the opening act.
John Legend’s set began with a cover of Adele’s chart-topping smash Rolling In The Deep and of the few cover versions I’ve heard, his is among the best! His set was fairly modest, and he performed hits spanning his 7-year career, including I Can Change, So High, This Time and his infamous classic Ordinary People. He kicked things into high gear as he closed out with Green Light, the funky lead single from his third studio album Evolver.
Sade’s performance can only be described as a visual spectacle. In fact, the main reason I kept my composure throughout the show is because I was simply in awe, captivated by the entire performance. Visual effects added to the band’s immense appeal, and it felt as if we were watching an extended music video or movie unfold right there on the stage. The band’s lead singer Sade Adu emerged from the floor during Soldier of Love, the group’s opening number, clad in a simple black ensemble and her voice resonated throughout the arena all night long. After the first number she briefly thanked the thousands of fans in attendance for sticking by the group during their hiatus, and welcoming them back. With that, the band struck into Kiss of Life and continued down a memory-filled journey lasting more than two hours, that included major hits like Sweetest Taboo, Paradise, Love Is Stronger Than Pride and one of my personal favorites, King of Sorrow. From their new album Soldier of Love the group also serenaded the crowd with Skin, In Another Time and Moon and the Sky, all while dazzling backdrops and visual effects made the show impossible to not enjoy. I found myself mesmerized by the fluidity with which the band played, as if they’d never spent a decade apart from the touring stages. During Jezebel, the lead singer took a seat on the edge of the stage while the band faded to black save for the saxophonist – together they delivered an absolutely flawless and heartfelt rendition of the song, allowing her vocals to soar and resonate right alongside the sax. Amazing! As the show came to a close, we were treated with By Your Side and the band returned for an encore with the timeless classic Cherish The Day.
Sade’s show was unlike anything I’d ever seen before. I’m accustomed to shows that center around the singer(s) and backup dancers without much attention on the band, though the shows really aren’t much without the band. In this performance, each member was an entertainer and integral piece of the show – each owning the stage at one point or another. There was no need for dancers or extra pieces to divert from the music. The production quality of this show was unmatched by today’s performers, which further helps to solidify Sade as a timeless group of professionals with no need for smoke and mirrors to amaze a crowd, only the immense talent they’ve possessed and showcased for more than 25 years. Sade was truly a class act and this concert will go down in history as one of my favorite live performances ever witnessed. I grew up on their music, in my adult years I grew to love them and I am proud to have been touched by such an elaborate treat to the eyes, the ears and the soul.
