Live review: John Legend (for The Music Network)

27 April 2011

by Poppy Reid

Monday April 25
State Theatre, Sydney, NSW 

When a soul singer changes his last name from Stephens to Legend, high expectations are entirely apposite. Yet in Sydney’s State Theatre on Monday night, the American musical powerhouse delivered a visual feast sans pop culture cliché and hubris.

Opening with an indelible version of Adele’s Rolling In The Deep, Legend executed the song more as a tribute to Adele and not with an 'I can do it better' disposition.

The next hour and a half lent itself predominantly to early tracks likeUsed To Love U, Save Room; the reason for this focus is perhaps because the Grammy Award winner came Down Under was more than five years ago, towards the end of the touring cycle for his debut album.

His three-piece band, personal DJ and the three backup singers weren’t blended into the background at all, yellow and blue lights illuminated the band from underneath giving the impression they were floating and vocalists Jessyca Wilson, Lacey Jones and Courtney Harrel were at times, very much the main attraction.

As Legend performed the title track from his latest record with The Roots, Wake Up!, the theatre sang along, showing him we had been paying attention during his five-year snub. Possibly the only part of the set where Legend slightly resembled the Chris Brown’s and Usher’s of our time was during Slow Dance where he beckoned a woman onstage to (err) slow dance with him; but instead of acting cocky and over-sexed, the grinning pair had a cute little boogie together before he sent her off with a rose. How refreshing!

He then hit up his grand piano for P.D.A (We Just Don’t Care) andSave Room; Legend was pitch perfect as he hit the high notes with the same masterful projection as he did the deep notes. Closing withGreen Light, he had us out of our seats and dancing in the isles as he came down and sang the track whilst weaving through the audience. For the big trilling finish, Legend stood atop his piano, painting himself as a true soul-crooner.

It was a short wait for encore tracks Ordinary People and Stay With You where he invited us to sing all the soft parts. “Keep singing,” he said as he complimented even the most tone-deaf audience member with his vocal aerobics.

“It’s been five years since I was last here, lets make a promise, I'll never leave it that long again,” he said. “If you'll keep having me I'll keep coming back.” The pact was made.