Lionel Richie
12th April 2018
Spark Arena, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Sarah Kidd. Photography by Matt Henry Mendonca.
Blustery winds, torrential rain and a cold snap with bite; all three, elements of the weather that have plagued Auckland over the last forty-eight hours. But as thousands of fans made their way into Spark Arena tonight they left both their troubles and umbrellas at the door, for inside the thermostat was climbing as one of the world’s bestselling artists promised to play the hits, all night long.
First order of the evening however was to step back in time to 1976 where the self-described ‘rock band for the disco movement’ CHIC featuring the inimitable Nile Rodgers was preparing to take the stage. As the stunning eight piece band readied themselves, Rodgers himself took to the microphone looking every inch the style icon he is in an ensemble of pastels and white. Speaking of the joy of music and doing a rather witty impression of Miles Davis who he saw as a child, he gently reminded the audience that all of the songs that they were about to hear were songs that he himself had had a hand in creating. “As Miles always said” he grinned down at the front row “the music always sounds better when you know who’s playing it”.
Kicking it all off with some classic CHIC tracks such as ‘Everybody Dance’ and ‘I Want Your Love’ there was absolutely no denying that Rodgers, despite both his battle with cancer and his sixty-five years, is a force to be reckoned with. Like a beacon of light, he worked both the stage and his famed Stratocaster with finesse. One of the tightest acts that have graced the Arena, it was hard to know where to look. From the hypnotising and funk infused slappings of bass player Jerry Barnes through to the melt in your mouth stylings of trumpet player Steve Jankowski, this was an ensemble that just oozed talent. The pièce de résistance of Chic though was the vocal talents of both Folami (who sang a very pleasing version of the Madonna classic ‘Like A Virgin’) and the stupendous Kimberly Davis whose vocals brought the house down more than once.
Speaking of how his cancer diagnosis only inspired him to create even more music, Rodgers commended all who were present as the audience lit up the room with thousands of cell phone lights. Moving into the appropriately named Daft Punk track ‘Get Lucky’ – which Rodgers pointed out he did not write, but did in fact play on – and it was the turn of the younger members of the audience to really get down, Daft Punk in many ways the disco band of the millennial generation. As drummer Ralph Rolle took the reins, expertly working the crowd up and then turning them loose as the band belted out an impressive version of David Bowie’s ‘Let Dance’, Rodgers took the opportunity to work the corners and shimmy with some of his fellow band members, his smile completely infectious. Finishing on ‘Good Times’, CHIC’s homage to the infamous Studio 54, and it was almost with a sense of despair that we had to bid this stellar act goodnight, both CHIC and Nile Rodgers himself in an absolute class of their own.
As the lights dimmed and a stunning jet black grand piano glinted under the spotlight, a rumble slowly began to build throughout the arena, fans hanging on the edge of their seats. From the darkness came a single “Hello?” the crowd immediately jumping to their feet and cheering as the man himself, Lionel Richie ran onto the stage looking resplendent in a red sequinned jacket that shimmered perfectly under the lights. Wasting no time whatsoever, Richie sat himself down behind the piano and began to play ‘Easy’, the audience swaying in time and singing along with him.
It wasn’t until just before his third track of the evening ‘Penny Lover’ that Richie stopped to address the audience; “So great to be back, and so good that you’re all still here!”, Richie going on to commend his New Zealand fans for surviving the long list of natural disasters and weather conditions that we have suffered through over the last few years, before pointing out that there was a bonafide minister in the front row, which he was very grateful for considering his own history with The Commodores. And it was with these first few moments that Richie proved why – at almost sixty-nine years old – he can still pack out stadiums and arenas; while his vocals may not be as strong or as in tune as they used to be, he is one outstanding performer. With just the right amount of camp infused cheesiness, Richie had the audience wrapped around his finger as he quickly moved from track to track, every so often pausing briefly to affectionately call out an audience member or to deliver a humour infused anecdote. With a tour that promised ‘All The Hits’, Richie expertly guided the many couples in the crowd down memory lane, songs such as ‘Truly’ – which saw him framed against the big screen visuals of fireworks exploding in the night sky – and ‘Stuck On You’ ensuring that the love was being felt tonight, one older husband and wife bringing a tear to the eye as they slow danced together, eyes closed to the rest of the world.
But it wasn’t all about the love songs; Richie speaking of his career with The Commodores signalling that we were all about to be dancing our socks off. But not before Richie pointed out that Auckland is lucky enough to have their very own Commodore living amongst us as the spotlight settled on bass guitarist Ronald LaPread seated in the front section of the audience who is indeed a resident of our fine city. Throwing in a few tongue in cheek jokes of how if “telephones with cameras” had existed back in the Commodores day they would all be in jail, Richie and co jumped straight into a stonking melded version of ‘Brick House/Fire’, the 1970’s visuals flashing across the big screens only adding to the fantastically cool vibes that permeated the audience.
Throughout the evening Richie was supported by his phenomenal five piece band, but there was one member in particular that stole the show. Saxophone player Dino Soldo not only played a dazzling array of instruments including a blistering harmonica and keyboards but he had a vibrancy about him that demanded attention. Pitch perfect and feeding into Richie’s humorous stage antics, Soldo was indeed an exceptional addition to an already fabulous performance.
Following a costume change into black and silver tails Richie once again took to the piano to play ‘Three Times A Lady’ before having every woman in the arena swooning as he asked them to play Diana Ross and sing ‘Endless Love’ with him, Richie time and time again proving just how good a showman he truly is. While the set did in some parts feel rushed, it delivered what the fans desired; a fun filled trip down memory lane and the chance to sing along to all of Richie’s masterpieces such as ‘Say You Say Me’ and the heart string tugger ‘Hello’. A hyped up version of ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ (with a sneaky little Van Halen ‘Jump’ instrumental) saw every single attendee on their feet and shaking what their mama gave them, Richie upon its conclusion addressing all of the wondrous musicians we have sadly lost over the last few years; names such as Maurice White, Natalie Cole, David Bowie, George Michael and of course Prince seeing fans nodding their heads emphatically, Richie moving on to speak of his time with Michael Jackson before playing ‘We Are The World’ the fans waving their arms in the air as they sang along, the sentiments of the words more important today than ever.
Concluding the evening with an extended and colourful version of ‘All Night Long’, Richie – now dressed in a dazzling silver sequinned jacket, beamed that perfect smile across his admirers one last time before quickly disappearing into the shadows.
Ninety million records, five Grammys; still a legend.
Lionel Richie:
Chic Feat. Nile Rodgers:
Were you there at Spark Arena for this massive soul pop gig? Or have you seen Lionel Richie perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Lionel Richie Setlist:
- Easy
- Running With The Night
- Penny Lover
- Truly
- You Are
- Stuck On You
- Brick House/Fire
- Three Times A Lady
- Sail On
- Fancy Dancer/Lady (Bring Me Up)
- Endless Love
- My Destiny
- Say You Say Me
- Hello
- Dancing On The Ceiling
- We Are The World
- All Night Long [encore]
Chic Feat. Nile Rodgers Setlist:
- Everybody Dance
- Dance Dance Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)
- I Want Your Love
- I’m Coming Out/Upside Down/He’s The Greatest Dancer/We Are Family
- Like A Virgin
- Get Lucky
- Let’s Dance
- Le Freak
- Good Times
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