John Legend was technically the support act for Alicia Keys’ Australian tour, but his talent warrants its own review.
It was a pretty bleak evening in Melbourne, humid, patchy raining, pretty much a standard day for us Melbournians. Thankfully I was not attending the cesspool that was Stereosonic, but rather I was to be treated to a lovely, laid back evening under the retractable roof of Rod Laver Arena.
In what is perhaps one of the biggest double-headers of 2013, the reigning King and Queen of RnB, John Legend and Alicia Keys, treated Australian audiences to a special run of shows across the country.
Taking to the stage first, John Legend played a number of hits from his glorious catalogue including, ‘When I Used To Love You’, ‘Let’s Get Lifted’, ‘It’s Alright With Me’, and crowd-favourite, ‘Take It Slow’.
John Legend’s stage presence and his voice are relaxed yet entirely captivating, never seeming to strain himself too much. As someone who isn’t too familiar with his work, I was completely enthralled by his set.
Highlights included amazing, ‘Number 1’, that showcased is impeccable voice, and a beautifully stripped back version of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’.
John Legend closed out his set with the Andre 3000 (Outkast) featuring ‘Green Light’, that thankfully still sampled Andre’s amazing verse. All too often artists omit the ‘rap’ verse when performing live, personally this upsets me as for many this is the highlight of the track for some people. Well done to John for leaving it in there! I appreciate it.
Departing the stage for a split second, John Legend returned to the stage to play his encore and announced, “I just found out this is my first number one song in Australia,” and swiftly broke into his outstanding new single, ‘All Of Me’. No doubt ‘All Of Me’ will be a favourite at weddings around the world for years to come.
John Legend Set List
Made to Love
Tonight
Used to Love U
Alright
Love In The Future/The Beginning
Let’s Get Lifted
Number 1
Dancing in the Dark (Bruce Springsteen Cover)
Save Room
Save The Night
Who Do We Think We Are
Ordinary People
Caught Up
So High
Green Light
(Encore)
All of Me
John Legend and Alicia Keys Remaining Tour Dates
11 Dec Allphones Arena, Sydney
13 Dec Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
14 Dec Hope Estate, Hunter Valley
19 Dec Vector Arena, Auckland
Tickets through Live Nation.
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