Just saw Stevie last night in Manchester, man what a bitter disappointment. The best way I can describe it is simply bizarre. For a performer of such incredible talent with such a massive back catalog of hits to manage to start the first hour of a set with so many dud tunes is quite remarkable. Then after about an hour we had to sit through what seemed like an age, while he rambled on about his mother and god, and some other stuff. People were actually heckling him from the audience, and to be honest all I was thinking was when is this guy gonna play something good (it's one thing saying a few words after you've just rocked a stadium to the floor, it's quite another when everyone hasn't even got on their feet yet). It livened up towards the end, but it was right at then end and by this point i was really not in the right vibe any more.

I thought I'd be on my feet for practically the whole gig, the reality was I was almost asleep.

I lost count of the number of times he did some really dragged out and cringe worthy audience participation jams, which after about 2 were wearing a bit thin.

I'm a massive Stevie fan and was really looking forward to seeing him live, but I'm not in any rush to see him again, in fact I think I'd go as far as saying I wouldn't bother. For those seeing him in London, I would lower your expectations, maybe then you won't be disappointed.

Interesting. Most reviews have been positive.

Mmmh, I've hear about his habit to make too long speeches.As said yesterday, in non-speaking countries he should stop that.

I've seen Stevie 12 times since 2005. His speeches have not been overdrawn nor have they elicited a slew of negative responses. Having said that, in my opinion, he is a must see. Check most of the reviews.

graecophilos said:

LMAO so he can continue!?

Ah, that sucks that you didn't enjoy it. I dunno, I think I would just be hyped to the eyeballs just being in the presence of Stevie himself. I bidded for tickets at the 02 in London earlier on in the summer but I never won.

graecophilos said:

I'm interested to hear a list from you of countries where the inhabitants are wholly mute.

You know, I'm not sure if it was my expectations being to high or what. There were a lot of older people in the audience, and sure, if all you want is to sit down, tap your thigh and listen to Stevie's great voice then the gig would probably have been right up your street.

I was expecting more of the earth, wind and fire experience of classic danceable track after track, with obviously some great classic slow ones too. It was just such a mish mash, fast slow, fast slow I just didn't get it really.

it was almost as though he was lacking the charisma. and the heckles weren't aimed at what stevie was saying so much, as more "get on with it", "play something funky"

maybe Manchester is just a tough crowd! ha!

Bewdy said:

I'm interested to know what some of the "dud tunes" were?
When I saw him last August in San Diego, the first half of his concert was basically Innervisions in it's entirety. Hard pressed to find a mediocre song in that bunch... what, was he playing all songs from the 80's or something? (not that I dislike them, just that his 70's catalogue is superior to well, basically anyone).

_

I saw Stevie Wonder last night in Manchester too, he rocked! I thought the whole gig was really good. Go and see Kylie if you want to dance all the way through and see 84 costume changs.

I can believe that.....

Bewdy said:

Yes please tell us what the "duds" were. I really have never heard people describe Stevie as "funky". Some of his songs are funky but that isn't really what he is known for. And stevie was never a "dance" artist either. I don't get this comparison to EWF either.

tricky99 said:

that's right. Stevie was never a dance artist. I like songs like As, I Wish, If You Really Love Me, Uptight etc. though!!
Not to forget Tears Of A Clown

or The Crown!! Fantastic!!!

We're seeing him at the o2 tomorrow night. Still really looking forward to it. Will post my review on thurs

As many have stated, Stevie is NOT a dance artist. He has done some dance and funk tunes, but Stevie's shows are all about getting people to think about the state of the world and how the people in it can make it better. For shows like these, he tends to concentrate on albums like Innervisions and SITKOL. He then likes to throw in the love songs and other danceable tracks.

I don't know if you know, but Stevie is very much about world peace, love and harmony among all races and cultures.

I thought you knew Stevie was famous for his speeches, he ain't gonna stop. Maybe that was the "dud".

I'm not too keen on Hotter Than July. Are the first four tracks still from that album??

BlaqueKnight said:

OUCH!

BlaqueKnight said:

I don't know how fair that comment is. I hear people going on and on about how good Patty Labelle is live. I went 2 see her and all I heard was 2 hours of screaming and adlibed nonsense.

I think it depends on your expectations. The poster said he hoped for an EWF style dance party experience, and if you wanted to hear Stevie's great voice it was up your alley. I expect him to do classics, fast & slow, and a few iffy 80's & newer tracks, not to put on a rave or to dance. So I'd probably enjoy his concert.

Graycap23 said:

Yeah people would expect something and then get something completely different.

what?!


shut up!


but yeah, when I saw him at the Taste of Chicago this summer, the setlest started out a bit sleepy. I just figured it was because it was a free show and he wanted to do some stuff for himself, because when I saw him in Detroit last fall, every song was a gem.
[Edited 9/10/08 14:58pm]

Yeah, I really want to know what the "duds" were. When I saw him in Baltimore, he was fantastic. The only song he played that wasn't a humongous hit or a standard was "My Eyes Don't Cry" on the talk box. Of course, that song rocks. My only complaint for the entire night was that he didn't play "If You Really Love Me."

AlexdeParis said:

I came down from New York City for this show and boy am I glad I did. Stevie absolutely ROCKED! All you have to see is the picture of Stevie standing and jamming on top of his piano to know how bad this show was. Awesome performance that people in. Baltimore are
still talking about.

Must admit that now im a bit apprehensive about tonight,but am still trying to keep an open mind. I really hope he isnt going to start the preachy stuff as I fear the british crowds will give him hell

Claire73 said:

Relax, he can take it. I'm sure he's heard far worse before.

AlexdeParis said:

I'm not intersted in his "preachy stuff" either.

well to be honest I couldn't careless if someone questions my taste in music because I don't kiss the ground an artist walks on.

The dud tracks as I put it were tracks I didn't even recognize. i can't claim to be as big a Stevie fan as I am a prince fan, and there is probably some obscure stuff he's done that I don't know. Having said that I do have a lot of his albums, and me the set seemed to be lacking what I would describe as his better known and more upbeat tracks. but that wasn't really the issue, it was more of a self indulgent long vamped up tracks with loads of audience participation which was cringey and bit like a butlins holiday routine.

If Stevie wants to play down beat material at his gigs ("and it's all about world peace") then fine. I just expected a little more from one of the greatest performers in the world. No I'm not interested in seeing Kylie putting on different wigs, though I'd happily watch her change costumes (if you know what I mean), and as i said I was trying to be diplomatic by saying perhaps I was expecting something that he is not. but fact is Stevie has a lot of upbeat stuff, some of which he did, but the concert was a bit of a mish mash. Fast track slow track etc... and as I said it took about 3/4 hour before he played anything that most would describe as a hit, which to me seemed odd, for someone with so many hits. This followed by the long boring speech, which seemed contrived knowing that he had already made it a couple of night before at the Birmingham gig.

The people in the audience seemed quiet and a bit flummoxed , which is not like other gigs I've been to where people are definitely in the vibe.

The last gig I saw before this was the 02 prince one, so maybe I was just spoiled by that!!

Anyway man, there are some closed minds on this forum, people who really idolize performers thinking they can do no wrong. To me the concert was pants, and not worth the money I paid for it. Just thought stevie would have been better than that. oh and the sound wasn't great either. but guess some of you'll will probably flame my sound engineering credentials too eh?
[Edited 9/11/08 4:01am]

Damn. Don't tell me that he sucked. We're paying a shitload to see him in late october.