John Legend @ Metropolis

As I got to Metropolis around 7:15 p.m., I noticed that the place was already packed. I still managed to get a decent spot not too far from the star that hung to the right venue wall. Around 7:30 the show got started with Devon Anthony (John Legend’s little brother) opening up for him. Anthony sounds a little like his older brother but with a different style; he has more of a dub reggae vibe mixed with a typical neo-, Chris Brownish R&B style. His songs were focused on acts in the bedroom and the women loved it. They especially loved when he took off his shirt to reveal a tight body (with built, tatooed arms) for his last song. It was perhaps a little cheesy, but it won over the ladies. The act didn’t do much for me and definitely didn’t win me over as a fan. It was an unoriginal move.

Next up was India.Arie. Miss Arie gets on stage and opens up with a prayer, something she likes to do before she starts the show. It’s actually one of her interludes from her newest album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics. Instead of waiting until the end of her set to sing her breakthrough song Radio, the singer sang it first and after she was done asked the crowd who knew her for more than Radio, and a large portion of the crowd cheered. She then asked how many just knew her for the song, people who were too shy to admit that they don’t know much more about that, to stay silent except for one brave soul who admitted to it. India Arie, being in such  great spirits, said that it was all good either way and that for her performance, she would take us through her fourth album (Testimony Vol. 2 Love and Politics') and sing a few songs from her other three.

She sang a few songs from her new album and while singing "I am Not My Hair" from her third album Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, proceeded to take off her wig, a large head full of dreadlock which she had a large wrap around. After letting out a big a sigh of relief from taking the hot heavy wig from her head, she brushed her short short hair and continued on with the show.   

The vibe of her performance was amazing. You could feel her essence, in-between the change of dresses and head wraps. For one of her songs she went into the crowd and rocked out with them. She also shared her talent for playing the flute. She sang "Brown Skin" and gave props to all the good men in the world. She really took the crowd on an enlightening journey.  At the end she brought her mother on stage, who looks much like it could be her sister, and then she sang. Her voice is amazing and you know where India gets her talent from.

After India was done I felt fully satisfied and looked forward to seeing John Legend for the second time.

After a reasonable short break, John Legend stepped onstage. The stage set-up was amazing: there were women dressed with long sparkly tops and shiny tights and long hair weaves. Legend came on looking dapper in black pants and short sleeve back shirt and white tie. He started things off by singing  "Let’s Get Lifted" from his first album, 2004's Get Lifted. He then began performing songs from his third album, last year's Evolver. He even paid tribute to Michael Jackson by singing "Human Nature". He also covered Bob Marley’s "Turn The Lights Down Low". He sang "Slow Dance" from his second album Once Again and brought a girl on stage to dance with him.  It was more of a slow grind but the crowd loved it and I’m sure that girl had a fantasy fulfilled with Mr. Legend. Both Devon Anthony and India.Arie joined John Legend on stage for a song each, both very enjoyable experiences.

The thing I liked about John Legend’s perfomance was that he didn’t perform his songs like the album. He made full use of his band and piano and gave the songs a new sound.

The show ended the same way like when he was here in 2005, which my friend at work hoped for and that was him performing in his black wife beater. For his encore he came on and performed the Grammy Award-winning "Ordinary People" from Get Lifted.   

Overall I enjoyed the show. It was a great, soulful R&B performance.