Latest news with #LionelRichie
The Guardian
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Lionel Richie review – larger-than-life legend delivers a lesson in charm
'Come to hear me sing?' Lionel Richie teases. 'Not gonna happen!' His Say Hello to the Hits tour couldn't be a clearer invitation to croon along with a true great, and from natural opener Hello, a loud and proud audience seizes that chance. A video montage of Richie's 50-year career and perfect 'tache drives the point home. Tonight is about legacy – not just the Grammys and multi-platinum hits which made Richie's name, but the way that songs such as Truly and the Commodores' Three Times a Lady have become intertwined with people's lives. 'I'll just fit myself in best I can,' he booms, laughing. He has joyful chemistry with his band, and together they put plenty of polish on Richie's trophy cabinet of hits. Dancing on the Ceiling is glittery and buoyant, veering into Van Halen's Jump before some surprisingly gritty guitar shredding. Brick House is raw and funky, with Richie slinking left to right with the band in tow, like a matured T-Birds. Sometimes the band (and the audience) overpower his glorious, buttery voice, but he ad-libs and riffs and ends every song with a proud, showbizzy 'yeah!' – even tender, cinematic ballads such as Endless Love. Perhaps that montage skirted dangerously close to an In Memoriam – lots of dry ice, photos of Richie looking angelic against a night sky – but, at 75, the man himself is larger than life. He puts in a tight five between most songs, riffing on Scotland's bad weather, and implores the audience to feel empathy for refugees and immigrants: 'Those people, they're us,' he urges. 'You would do the same for your family.' This Hits tour shows us Richie on cruise control, but radiant nonetheless. He struts up and down the thrust stage, laser-focused on making the furthest corners of the Hydro feel special, and if anyone's earned the right to lean on charm, surely it's Richie. Tonight feels breezy rather than electric, and even a soaring, hip-shaking encore of All Night Long is homely rather than thrilling. A night of few fireworks, perhaps, but full of deep love and mutual appreciation. Such worn-in comfort takes decades to get just right. Lionel Richie's Say Hello to the Hits tours the UK and Europe until August
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Lionel Richie, Glasgow review: 'soul pop cabaret'
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Lionel Richie, Hydro, Glasgow ★★★ Let Lionel Richie start by saying I love you. There is arguably no swifter way to get a full house onside. Following a thunderous band overture of Hello, the veteran performer rose through a blanket of smoke, a clichéd showbiz entrance befitting the cheesiness of the song. And thus the soul pop cabaret of the Say Hello to the Hits tour commenced. Lionel Richie | Calum Buchan Richie mock-choked on his mention of his 50 years in music. He teased about the Scottish weather and joked about his ability to remember his words, then really did appear to stumble over the lyrics of Easy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Often, his vocal sat low in the mix, even on mawkish ballads Penny Lover and Stuck On You. But these were his songs and he was going to own them with a bit of tag team coverage from his band, manifesting Running with the Night in its full Eighties pomp. Lionel Richie at the Glasgow Hydro | Calum Buchan There was no denying the diversity of the catalogue, touching on reggae, Latin, R&B and rock influences, with The Commodores' smooth Sail On, sunshine optimism of You Are and sturdy funk of Brick House among the more satisfying renditions. Three Times a Lady may be the monster hit but Truly is the best of his piano ballads, arriving with a touch of old school melodrama, even if Richie quailed to belt it out. At least he had the audience to deputise for Diana Ross on Endless Love, but there was no hiding place on a nicely delivered Still. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lionel Richie at the Hydro, Glasgow | Calum Buchan
Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
Lionel Richie review — wave after wave of pure disco karaoke
Soon to turn 76, Lionel Richie's response to the ageing process has been to make it a punchline. 'I'm in pain, so much pain,' he pretend-complained midway through an exhilarating, hit-strewn performance at Dublin's 3Arena. There was also a long speech about how, when he inevitably forgot the words to one of the umpteen smashes, he expected the audience to bail him out. The crowd lapped it up like parched kittens presented with a trough of milk. Richie delivered his banter with the relaxed air of a veteran coasting on muscle memory. That wasn't to say he was on autopilot. Beginning — obviously but satisfyingly — with his drippy 1983 power ballad Hello he was soon drenched in sweat while the huge grin that gleamed beneath his trademark moustache rarely dimmed. The evening crested wave after wave of pure disco karaoke. Accompanied by an enthusiastic saxophone player, Running with the Night was soul-pop cheese on a swizzle stick, while the Motown-era Commodores favourites Easy and Three Times a Lady showcased Richie's still luxuriant croon and dextrous piano tinkling. If the concert had a weakness, it was that there weren't quite enough stone-cold hits to fill the near two-hour set. The pace slackened notably during the funk-by-numbers Brick House, a disposable artefact from his Commodores days. It arrived with huge jets of flame from the back of the stage and an ill-judged James Brown impersonation out front by Richie, who lacked the molten charisma to sell the part. But he pulled the show out of its tailspin as a gloriously giddy Dancing on the Ceiling was followed by a heartfelt Say You, Say Me — featuring that effervescent increase in tempo right at the end. Then came We Are the World, the US music industry's response to Band Aid, which Richie had bashed out with Michael Jackson in a hurry in 1985. He introduced it with an impassioned appeal against prejudice and a reminder that we were 'all human beings' — a spiel delivered with the fervour of a preacher working the pulpit. A gig light on surprises concluded with the inevitable All Night Long (All Night), fuelled by a chorus of almost supernatural slinkiness. Richie is surely too self-aware to believe age is just a number, but throughout this crowd-pleasing masterclass, he made it feel an irrelevance. ★★★★☆ Touring to Jun 15
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Lionel Richie opens up about gruelling life on the road as he kicks off his first UK tour in a decade
THE LIONEL KING Lionel Richie opens up about gruelling life on the road as he kicks off his first UK tour in a decade Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HE is one of the most enduring names in music and, at 75, is still gaining new fans. As he kicked off his first UK tour in a decade, it is clear things are different for Lionel Richie these days, with his beloved red wine switched for electrolyte-filled water to keep him on top form on the road. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 7 Lionel Richie is embarking on his first UK tour in a decade Credit: Getty 7 Lionel is good friends with King Charles and has invited him to a show Credit: PA 7 Lionel in 1979 performing with The Commodores Credit: Rex Features And as Bizarre's Jack joined him in his dressing room ahead of his first show in Belfast on Saturday night, Lionel issued an invitation for his mate King Charles to come and sing with him. He said: 'If The King wants to sing Easy like Sunday Morning with me, that's fantastic. It would be a hoot.' But despite his royal connections, Lionel admitted you might still find him in a British boozer. He said: 'I have my pub master Bernie. "He will take me to the latest and the greatest of the pubs.' And would he indulge in some of our great British pub snacks, like a bag of pork scratchings? 'Have I ever had some weird British food? Yes,' Lionel says with a laugh 'I had black pudding, I did not like it. "I was warming up on it for a moment and then they told me what it was and, psychologically, I just went off the rails. 'There will be no black pudding on tour for sure.' Charles always makes the same joke, says Lionel Ritchie as he opens up about friendship with King Opening up about going back on the road, Lionel explained: 'It's called play period. 'It's an excuse to leave the house and act silly all over again, otherwise life becomes boring. 'Going on tour is the best ever as my fans put on a show better than I can. "When I look out into the audience, I see all the afro wigs and moustaches . . . and that is just the girls. 'It is Lionel in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and Noughties — they put me all together in these various outfits. "It is amazing and fun to watch.' Now almost six decades into his career, Lionel travels with a small team including a physical therapist. Lionel said: 'You have to be in shape. "You might think that it's easy to walk on that stage but try two hours of that, plus running, plus singing. "You do that multiple times, well you better be in good condition. It is set up to wipe you out. 'PROTECT YOUR VOCALS' 'I have been doing it for so long now, it's like second nature. But don't take it for granted.' Another secret weapon in his touring armour is bringing along his own pillow on tour. He explained: 'I elevate the bed at an angle as that keeps the acid reflux at bay. "The most important part you are trying to protect is your vocals. 'Eating late is also a disaster because trying to sleep and digest food at the same time calls for a rough voice.' But while he has a team with him at all times, Lionel isn't dishing out a list of diva demands. Nor is he sitting in hair and make-up for hours. 7 Lionel Richie at the 7th Annual American Cinema Awards in 1990 Credit: Getty 7 Lionel in the 80s when he released single 'Hello' Credit: Getty He said: 'The one thing I can't do is a lot of hair and make- up. I don't know how people can do it.' 'I sweat a lot and on the first two songs, whatever make-up I had on, or whatever hair style I had, leaves immediately. "And I don't really need make-up by that point. 'I am on stage and enjoying it. "The last thing I would want is my mascara to be running. That is not a good look.' Even a pre-gig tipple is out of the question. Lionel laughed: 'Alcohol before a show? No, no, we don't do that. 'Back in The Commodores days you could do anything. You're bulletproof. 'But now, alcohol? No. Just get me out on stage with as much water and things to get the electrolytes going and that is it. 'I don't even know how we survived the Seventies and Eighties. It was fun though.' 7 Lionel and The Sun's Jack Hardwick Credit: Supplied Lionel added: 'Ten years ago I used to love red wine and I tried to let that be my potion to bring me down. "That phased out of my whole existence as purple teeth by the end of the tour was not going to be the way I wanted to go. 'I get a great bite to eat, lots of water and just wait for yourself to come down. 'Though I must admit, a good massage is needed. You need to just let your body come down. 'The worst thing to do is to try and jump into bed and think you are going to go to sleep. "You twitch for about four hours as your adrenaline is too high.' As we chatted in his dressing room, the rolling news channel on his TV showed King Charles, and conversation turned to His Majesty. Despite the invitation for a singalong, Lionel admitted: 'Listen, this guy is so busy. 'He is probably going to be the first royal to travel as much as you can imagine. 'I can see him moving around quite a bit but is he going to pop into the show and surprise me? You never know. 'Now Camilla, that would be possible. "She is a hoot in the kindest of respects. She is so funny and she has such a good sense of humour. "They both do. I love her sense of humour." We'd pay seriously good money to see that. 7 Lionel Richie performing at the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle Credit: Getty Set list Overture Hello Running With The Night Easy - My Love Penny Lover Sela Stuck On You Sail On You Are Brick House Three Times A Lady Fancy Dancer Sweet Love Lady You Bring Me Up Truly Endless Love Destiny Dancing On The Ceiling Still Say You, Say Me We Are The World All Night Long Tour dates June 4 - Glasgow - OVO Hydro June 6 - London - The O2 June 8 Sheffield - Utillta Arena June 9 - Birmingham - Utillita Arena June 12 - Manchester - Co-Op Live June 13 - Manchester - Co-Op Live June 15 - London - The O2 Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Lionel Richie opens up about gruelling life on the road as he kicks off his first UK tour in a decade
HE is one of the most enduring names in music and, at 75, is still gaining new fans. As he kicked off his first UK tour in a decade, it is clear things are different for Lionel Richie these days, with his beloved red wine switched for electrolyte-filled water to keep him on top form on the road. 7 7 7 And as Bizarre's Jack joined him in his dressing room ahead of his first show in Belfast on Saturday night, Lionel issued an invitation for his mate King Charles to come and sing with him. He said: 'If The King wants to sing Easy like Sunday Morning with me, that's fantastic. It would be a hoot.' But despite his royal connections, Lionel admitted you might still find him in a British boozer. He said: 'I have my pub master Bernie. "He will take me to the latest and the greatest of the pubs.' And would he indulge in some of our great British pub snacks, like a bag of pork scratchings? 'Have I ever had some weird British food? Yes,' Lionel says with a laugh 'I had black pudding, I did not like it. "I was warming up on it for a moment and then they told me what it was and, psychologically, I just went off the rails. 'There will be no black pudding on tour for sure.' Opening up about going back on the road, Lionel explained: 'It's called play period. 'It's an excuse to leave the house and act silly all over again, otherwise life becomes boring. 'Going on tour is the best ever as my fans put on a show better than I can. "When I look out into the audience, I see all the afro wigs and moustaches . . . and that is just the girls. 'It is Lionel in the Seventies, Eighties, Nineties and Noughties — they put me all together in these various outfits. "It is amazing and fun to watch.' Now almost six decades into his career, Lionel travels with a small team including a physical therapist. Lionel said: 'You have to be in shape. "You might think that it's easy to walk on that stage but try two hours of that, plus running, plus singing. "You do that multiple times, well you better be in good condition. It is set up to wipe you out. 'PROTECT YOUR VOCALS' 'I have been doing it for so long now, it's like second nature. But don't take it for granted.' Another secret weapon in his touring armour is bringing along his own pillow on tour. He explained: 'I elevate the bed at an angle as that keeps the acid reflux at bay. "The most important part you are trying to protect is your vocals. 'Eating late is also a disaster because trying to sleep and digest food at the same time calls for a rough voice.' But while he has a team with him at all times, Lionel isn't dishing out a list of diva demands. Nor is he sitting in hair and make-up for hours. 7 He said: 'The one thing I can't do is a lot of hair and make- up. I don't know how people can do it.' 'I sweat a lot and on the first two songs, whatever make-up I had on, or whatever hair style I had, leaves immediately. "And I don't really need make-up by that point. 'I am on stage and enjoying it. "The last thing I would want is my mascara to be running. That is not a good look.' Even a pre-gig tipple is out of the question. Lionel laughed: 'Alcohol before a show? No, no, we don't do that. 'Back in The Commodores days you could do anything. You're bulletproof. 'But now, alcohol? No. Just get me out on stage with as much water and things to get the electrolytes going and that is it. 'I don't even know how we survived the Seventies and Eighties. It was fun though.' 7 Lionel added: 'Ten years ago I used to love red wine and I tried to let that be my potion to bring me down. "That phased out of my whole existence as purple teeth by the end of the tour was not going to be the way I wanted to go. 'I get a great bite to eat, lots of water and just wait for yourself to come down. 'Though I must admit, a good massage is needed. You need to just let your body come down. 'The worst thing to do is to try and jump into bed and think you are going to go to sleep. "You twitch for about four hours as your adrenaline is too high.' As we chatted in his dressing room, the rolling news channel on his TV showed King Charles, and conversation turned to His Majesty. Despite the invitation for a singalong, Lionel admitted: 'Listen, this guy is so busy. 'He is probably going to be the first royal to travel as much as you can imagine. 'I can see him moving around quite a bit but is he going to pop into the show and surprise me? You never know. 'Now Camilla, that would be possible. "She is a hoot in the kindest of respects. She is so funny and she has such a good sense of humour. "They both do. I love her sense of humour." We'd pay seriously good money to see that. 7
