Categories: MUSICMusic Reviews

SADE at ACC – June 28, 2011

The choice of her first song – “Soldier of love” truly set the mood for the whole night, slowly uncovering Sade’s true essence.

Most of the songs in the show were from her two albums: “ The Best of Sade” and the most recent “Soldiers of Love” (2010).  She truly knows what her fans are into. In no time everyone were dancing and singing along. This was my first show in Air Canada Center that made me kick off my heels and submerge myself completely into music. And once everyone thought it couldn’t get better, she would surprise her fans with a new outfit or state of the art scene set up, which, at times felt like a 3D, giving you a feeling of actually being in the story of the song.

Emotional intensity was gradually rising through the show and reached its peak during “Pearls” and “Jezebel”, some people broke in tears, touched deeply by the beauty of her voice and multitude of feelings she could provoke in peoples hearts. I was captivated by her soothing voice, which sounded truly remarkable, and, believe it or not, better live then recorded!

It was far away from just an ordinary concert, a true performance, with well thought stage design, costumes, choreography, acoustics, video, and overall production that sets the bar for all artists.  And if I’ will need to wait another ten years for the show like this, I am up for it!

SETLIST:

1. Soldier Of Love

2. Your Love Is King

3. Skin

4. Kiss Of Life

5. Love Is Found

6. In Another Time

7. Smooth Operator

8. Jezebel

9. Bring Me Home

10. Is It A Crime

11. Love Is Stronger Than Pride

12. All About Our Love

13. Paradise/Nothing Can Come Between Us

14. Morning Bird

15. King Of Sorrow

16. The Sweetest Taboo

17. The Moon And The Sky

18. Pearls

19. No Ordinary Love

20. By Your Side

21. Encore:

21. Cherish The Day

“Earth Shaking Performance”

Sade Adu, lead singer of the band SADE returned to stage after more then a decade being off the map. Her previous albums “Diamond Life” (1984) and “Lovers Rock” (2000) became classical additions to musical collections of soul and soft- rock fans around the world.  And finally, last night her fans got a chance to see her live at Toronto Air Canada Center.

I could never forget this show. It was mind-blowing!

John Legend and his band opened the night with a set of perfect touching soulful rhythms creating a perfect romantic mood for the an upcoming Sade performance. People were on their feet, dancing, and singing, waiting impatiently.  Great voice, great music, lovely stage décor in 50’s prom night style. All was wonderful, a little energy boost, but you could feel that the main “treat” was yet to come.  During an intermission, DJ played some tunes to support an atmosphere, but really, everyone were at the edge of their seats waiting in tension, when “BAAM!” …. Lights went on, and there she was – Goddess, timeless beauty, looking better then some girls in their 20’s, truly amazing. The crowd just went crazy applauding and screaming: “Sade we love you!”

“Earth Shaking Performance”

Sade Adu, lead singer of the band SADE returned to stage after more then a decade being off the map. Her previous albums “Diamond Life” (1984) and “Lovers Rock” (2000) became classical additions to musical collections of soul and soft- rock fans around the world.  And finally, last night her fans got a chance to see her live at Toronto Air Canada Center.

I could never forget this show. It was mind-blowing!

John Legend and his band opened the night with a set of perfect touching soulful rhythms creating a perfect romantic mood for the an upcoming Sade performance. People were on their feet, dancing, and singing, waiting impatiently.  Great voice, great music, lovely stage décor in 50’s prom night style. All was wonderful, a little energy boost, but you could feel that the main “treat” was yet to come.  During an intermission, DJ played some tunes to support an atmosphere, but really, everyone were at the edge of their seats waiting in tension, when “BAAM!” …. Lights went on, and there she was – Goddess, timeless beauty, looking better then some girls in their 20’s, truly amazing. The crowd just went crazy applauding and screaming: “Sade we love you!”

“Earth Shaking Performance”

Sade Adu, lead singer of the band SADE returned to stage after more then a decade being off the map. Her previous albums “Diamond Life” (1984) and “Lovers Rock” (2000) became classical additions to musical collections of soul and soft- rock fans around the world. And finally, last night her fans got a chance to see her live at Toronto Air Canada Center.

I could never forget this show. It was mind-blowing!

John Legend and his band opened the night with a set of perfect touching soulful rhythms creating a perfect romantic mood for the an upcoming Sade performance. People were on their feet, dancing, and singing, waiting impatiently. Great voice, great music, lovely stage décor in 50’s prom night style. All was wonderful, a little energy boost, but you could feel that the main “treat” was yet to come. During an intermission, DJ played some tunes to support an atmosphere, but really, everyone were at the edge of their seats waiting in tension, when “BAAM!” …. Lights went on, and there she was – Goddess, timeless beauty, looking better then some girls in their 20’s, truly amazing. The crowd just went crazy applauding and screaming: “Sade we love you!”

“Earth Shaking Performance”

Sade Adu, lead singer of the band SADE returned to stage after more then a decade being off the map. Her previous albums “Diamond Life” (1984) and “Lovers Rock” (2000) became classical additions to musical collections of soul and soft- rock fans around the world.  And finally, last night her fans got a chance to see her live at Toronto Air Canada Center.

I could never forget this show. It was mind-blowing!

John Legend and his band opened the night with a set of perfect touching soulful rhythms creating a perfect romantic mood for the an upcoming Sade performance. People were on their feet, dancing, and singing, waiting impatiently.  Great voice, great music, lovely stage décor in 50’s prom night style. All was wonderful, a little energy boost, but you could feel that the main “treat” was yet to come.  During an intermission, DJ played some tunes to support an atmosphere, but really, everyone were at the edge of their seats waiting in tension, when “BAAM!” …. Lights went on, and there she was – Goddess, timeless beauty, looking better then some girls in their 20’s, truly amazing. The crowd just went crazy applauding and screaming: “Sade we love you!”

Sean Chin

Chief Editor & Founder of Live in Limbo. Host & Producer of the Capsule Podcast. Sean is an award-winning photographer and Nikon Professional Services member. His work has appeared on the CBC, Pitchfork, and MUCH. He is an Academy Delegate at the JUNOs (CARAS) and has been involved in the Toronto music scene since 2005. He is also an endurance and CrossFit athlete. You should follow him on Twitter @SeanChin.

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