Singer/ songwriter John Legend returned for his first headlining show in Brisbane (8 December) and the crowd who were dressed to the nines, most on date nights, were clearly in the perfect mood to be serenaded by the Grammy winner for the night’s intimate show.
Local singer of ‘X-Factor’ fame, Dami Im, belted out for the welcoming audience and gave a hint of the sound system perfection ahead for the night’s headliner.
Right on cue the string quartet set the mood on stage to ‘cheer’. A moment later, and the man of the night enters the stage to claps and whistles. He simply smiled and gave a wave then took his position on his piano where he remained for the majority of the evening, playing, singing and talking in between sips of his water.
The unadorned entrance was appropriate to the night’s stripped-down theme. Legend, backed by the string quartet, drums, guitar and bass, sang with ease and shared stories of his musical journey.
Image © Jann AngaraEvery slight sound from each instrument was heard and mixed beautifully and the tasteful, light production enhanced the mood. While the venue was not intimate in size, the show ensured that each guest felt like they were given a personal performance.
He took long-time fans back to hits like ‘Lifted’ and covered other songs such as Alicia Keys’ ‘You Don’t Know My Name’ and Lauryn Hill’s ‘Everything Is Everything’.
As a tribute to his gospel pianist grandmother he performed a gorgeous solo rendition of ‘Bridge Over Troubled Waters’. While he gets everyone up and dancing for ‘Green Light’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Rock With You’. He then sang the chorus of his international breakout song, ‘Ordinary People’, to the crowd who happily and gently serenaded him back.
Image © Jann AngaraEvery song was a highlight for everyone who enjoyed a great show that simply took it back to the beauty of a great vocalist.
