John Legend Rocks the Fourth of July Weekend

John Legend’s first stop in the Tri-State region this weekend was at Sunoco’s Fourth of July celebration on the Parkway, just a few miles away from his college Alma Mater. Sunday night, Legend graced the stage of Atlantic City’s Borgata. While the repertoire was similar, the performances were very different. I guess that goes to show that you get what you pay for.

Now don’t get me wrong. The free performance on the Parkway was very fun and certainly showcased Legend’s virtuosity. Joined by British songstress Estelle, Legend had the Philadelphia audience dancing in the streets. But, the acoustics and setting of the Borgata created a euphoric musical ambiance that could be topped but no other. The light show that went along with the performance was stunning itself. In between the use of his full band, Legend performed a solo piano set that left the crowd speechless.

One of the highlights for the ladies in the audience was the song “Slow Dance.” As if rumors of the stunt had circulated before to the performance, women stood on top of their chairs, hoping that the R&B legend would choose them from the audience. But each night, only one special girl was chosen to slow dance with the star, as he knelt on his knee and feigned a proposal.

By the time Legend climaxed with his gospel-esque encore, “So High,” both male and female members of the crowd were in tears. Even though I had seen him perform two days prior, seeing him again at the Borgata was like seeing him for the first time. To each performance he delivers a new level of energy, never satisfied with being just "legendary."

Even if you are a casual listener of John Legend, you can’t miss an opportunity to see him perform live. If you appreciate music and talent, you will love John Legend. I know people who would literally follow his tour around the country if they could afford it, and after this weekend, I understand why.


More pictures and videos to come...