Hey, Generation X'ers, we might need special glasses to read our bar receipts now, but we still know how to party. Maybe not as hard and as often, but we still got it. Go here for more Gen X bands at the Big Gig.
"I’ve got more songs. I’ve got more memories. I’ve got more things to tell you," Lionel Richie shared with Tuesday night’s Summerfest crowd. It’d been 19 years since Richie’s last show in Milwaukee, but the city is still full of superfans locked into the memories from his decades of hits.
During the nostalgic show at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater, Richie was in a continuous conversation with the crowd playing equal parts showman and storyteller.
A light show and drums called the music legend to the stage as Richie ran out singing "Running With The Night" wearing a bright red bomber jacket with the words "Hello" bedazzled on the back. His contagious energy made it hard to believe he had just celebrated his 70th birthday.
Richie explained that he would not be the one singing tonight. Instead, he had us look around at our neighbors to get acquainted with our singing partners. It loosened everyone up just in time for the '70s smash hit "Easy."
Richie kept the focus on the audience, repeatedly turning the lights on them and putting them on the big screen. Dialing up the energy, he gave the crowd the title "the out of control Summerfest group." As he moved into "Dancing On The Ceiling," the American Family Insurance Amphitheater was on its feet going wild. The cheers continued to build as Richie took a swig of vodka and cranberry before launching into a Commodores section of the night with "Three Times a Lady."
When it came time for "Endless Love," karaoke was in full swing with the Milwaukee crowd subbing in for Diana Ross. It led to one of the loudest moments of the night with a medley of "Brick House"/"Fire."The song took the crowd on a trip down memory lane, and Richie gave a shout out to the moms saying "Momma, you haven’t lost a thing."
"Say You Say Me" stole the show. The audience was fully engrossed in song, and it brought about the most personal moment of the night with Richie sharing what it meant for him to witness their memories through the songs. "Tonight, your performance is stellar. Absolutely stellar."
The encore was short, but rewarding with "All Night Long." Richie left the stage saying, "Good night everybody. God bless you." The night was complete with absolutely nothing but the hits.
Setlist:
"Running With The Night"
"Easy/My Love" (Commodores)
"Penny Lover"
"Truly"
"You Are"
"Stuck On You"
Dancing On The Ceiling"
"Three Times A Lady" (Commodores)
"Sail On" (Commodores)
"Fancy Dancer" (Commodores)
"Sweet Love" (Commodores)
"Lady" (Commodores)
"Just To Be Close To You" (Commodores)
"Endless Love"
"Brick House"/"Fire" (Commodores)
"Hello"
"Say You Say Me"
"We Are The World"
Encore:
"All Night Long"
