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Home > Atlanta Music Scene > Archives > 2009 > February > 26 > Entry
Ne-Yo At The Fox Theatre
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo chose his sold-out homecoming last night at the Fox Theatre to show off all of his Las Vegas upbringing.
From the moment his music cranked up around 10:15 p.m., and for the next 75 minutes or so, it was total show.
A show, first, of the kind of class the artist born Shaffer Smith brings to popular music. His eight-piece band — wait, we can stop right there. After all, how often do you see a band accompanying a young artist? (And we’re talking a band with a horn section, not just a phalanx of keyboard players).
But back to the initial point — his eight-piece band was sharply dressed in crisp white shirts, suit pants and vests.
Then, of course, there was the non-stop show of hits (“Because of You,” “So Sick,” a really nicely reworked “Do You” and the currently inescapable “Miss Independent”); as well as Ne-Yo’s process as a James Brown/Michael Jackson/Usher-like (take your pick) dancer.
And the bonus was when the three-time Grammy winner showed — or more than likely, simple reminded — the heavily-female audience of his contributions as a songwriter in a medley. While the response to his take on Beyonce’s “Irreplaceable” and Jennifer Hudson’s “Spotlight” was certainly spirited, it was hard not to miss how loudly and vigorously the crowd sang along to Rihanna’s “Take A Bow.” Especially the first line: “You look so dumb right now.”
“Shout-out Rihanna!” he yelled mid-song, to applause. “I love you baby!”
“Ah hell, we in the A-T-L!” Ne-Yo also remarked several times during the show, clearly pleased by the reception he got on his first headlining tour in his mere three years as a recording artist.
Fellow Atlanta transplant Musiq Soulchild — accompanied by a five-piece band — was a big hit at home as well. Five albums into his career, the R&B singer clearly knows the importance of pacing and putting together a good set list. (And it doesn’t hurt that he has a number of popular ballads — “Love” “Teach Me” and current hit “So Beautiful” — to pack into that list).
Wednesday night marked Jazmine Sullivan’s second official Atlanta show since the release of her five-time Grammy-nominated debut, “Fearless.” And while the R&B singer was more confident and dynamic — in parts (“In Love With Another Man”) — as a vocalist, there’s still some obvious breathing issues.
Starting it all off was Atlanta singer-producer The Dream’s new girl group, Electrik Red; who in their just-right 10 minute set proved at least an interesting combination of Vanity 6’s X-rated bravado and Pussycat Doll style.
After the concert, Ne-Yo got to wheel his own convertible Bentley over to the Whiskey Bar at the W Atlanta Midtown where he traded one group of celebrities at the Fox (comedian Bruce Bruce, rapper Pastor Troy, DJ Nabs) for another (actor Darrin Dewitt Henson, R&B singer Mario, rapper Diamond, stylist Patrick Cooper and DJ Mars).
Were you at the show and/or the after party — and if so, your take? See our Q&A’s with Ne-Yo and Musiq?
Comments
By Mark
February 26, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
Who would honestly pay to see/hear this black garbage? Oh, I forgot, it’s an “artform”. LOL!!
By Tyree
February 28, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this
Come ride the bull..lil’ gurl Mark. Krazy azz hate filled dude you.
By Natalie
March 3, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand why human beings continue to be racist. You are just the type of person WE are ALL working to BOOT out of the US and on some little island of mirrors where you can’t look at anyone but people like you…
I apologize to Ne-Yo on your behalf. He is doing more in his young life to rid the world of people who think like you.
You are a jerk who does not belong in a social setting of human beings. If you are looking for a home…remember Atlanta’s ZOO always has space for animals and creatures like you to be admired…