LIONEL RICHIE | LIVE REVIEW
Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Sat 18 June
The summer of music continues in Swansea. Fresh on the heels of the Manic Street Preachers, American soul legend Lionel Richie became the latest high profile to grace the stage at the Liberty Stadium.
Supporting duties fell to popular Corrine Bailey Rae. Since being named the BBC Sound Of 2006, the female singer-songwriter has gone from strength to strength, and more than held her own in front of the growing Swansea crowd. Put Your Records On getting everyone’s voices primed and ready for the headline act.
Hitting the stage, the iconic musician instantly commands the attention of everyone in attendance. Kicking the set off with Running With The Night, concertgoers are on their feet and dancing from the get-go. Easy and Three Times A Lady pop up early on and set the tone for a stop-off on a tour aptly titled All The Hits.
Not shy to interact with a crowd, Richie is on top form and makes it a priority to chat to the crowd pretty much in between every song. In typical Lionel-esque form he is his usual playful self. To the shock of the 27,000 strong crowd, he teases us about having invited Diana Ross to attend, but is quick to add that she’s turned down his invitations for the last 40 years. The subsequent rendition of Endless Love goes down a storm, Lionel playing himself and the vocal Swansea crowd taking on the part of the Supremes singer quite easily.
Showing no signs of slowing down, the 67-year-old doesn’t stop moving all evening. Backed up with a stellar collection of musicians, the Lionel Richie band each have their own moments to shine. Flying through hit tunes like no tomorrow; next up was the juggernaut finish of Are My Destiny, Say You Say Me, Hello before the uber-crowd-pleasing finishers – Dancing On The Ceiling, and All Night Long. No need for an encore here.
A standout performance on the whole from a standout showman: seeing someone who has been there, done that and got the t-shirt being so humble and seeming genuinely taken aback by the reaction of his adoring crowd is quite special. Unfortunate reports of bad sound for a minority of said crowd was unfortunate, but Lionel Richie sure left a positive mark on the lucky ones in attendance this time around. An ‘easy’ five star performance.
words OWEN SCOURFIELD
