Stevie Wonder, London- A Concert Review

Last night, at the O2 arena – the largest single-roofed structure in the world, my brother and I witnessed the legend that is Stevie Wonder. It was quite surreal for two reasons. One, because in the space of a year, I have seen two out of three of my musical heroes; Stevie Wonder and Prince (M. Jackson being the third). Two, because I saw them both at the O2 arena which is in Greenwich, my borough in London, 10 minutes from my home.

After getting in a quick, mandatory Nandos beforehand, we made our way to our seats, B3 Row D. Good seats. Let me quickly sidetrack and say that it was quite difficult to get hold of these tickets. Luckily, I managed to get hold of a pair of tickets at a very good price, from a well known internet source.

The legend arrived on stage helped by his daughter, Aisha Morris. He was dressed in a black coat with extremely funky and garish sleeves.

The talented tour band belted out the funk with back up singers, whilst Stevie carried the main vocals, playing the piano or keys (at one point, simultaneously) singing in his characteristic soulful gospel voice. It was amazing to see that the quality, power, range and dynamism of Stevie’s voice sounding little unchanged from his heyday of the mid 70s. Neither had his creativity. The atmosphere was electric. At one point he had all the guys in the audience singing the intro to ‘Part Time Lover’ whilst the women sang the chorus over it, all in harmony.

The lyrics of Stevie Wonder’s songs address social problems (Living For The City,) pay homage to other musical greats (Sir Duke), are full pure positivity (Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing), dream of a better future (Visions) and beautiful ballads (Ma Cherie Amour) to songs about wishful reminiscing (I Wish) and just plain beauty (As).

The great thing about Stevie Wonder is that his back catalogue of music is rivalled by very few (except maybe Prince). He has had hits in every decade from the ’60s to the ’00s. Very few artists can claim that.

Each song he played evoked a difference reaction in the crowd and for each member associated with a different memory, from a different decade.

Music brings people together, but I've rarely seen it bring people from different generations like this performer did.

Stevie Wonder’s music is far less risqué than Prince's. It is consistently inclusive and definitely spiritual.

In fact, throughout the concert, Stevie Wonder made references to God, Unity, the coming together of ‘one human family’- our common humanity. The whole concert was in the spirit of love, Stevie repeatedly telling the audience ‘I Love You’, to hear ‘We Love You’ back… a sharp contrast to other concerts I have seen recently. He said during the concert that the atmosphere felt like his ‘church.’

Interspersed through the concert was his love for the audience, saying how much he missed playing in London and it was glad to be back. In fact it was the death of his mother a few years ago that prompted him to begin his first tour in a decade, dedicating his last song to her.

I won’t say what my favorite song is, there were too many, and many he didn’t play…. What I will say is that I’m happy to have experienced the Wonder that is Stevie, seeing the man responsible for a musical style that is often imitated but rarely innovated.

TEXT 7

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