On Wednesday night, Alicia Keys and her Freedom Tour made a stop at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the singer’s hometown. The night was one of surprise guests, positive messages and soaring vocals. Joining Keys onstage were Swizz Beatz, Beyonce and Jay-Z. The singer performed a long list of songs, covering the past up to the present. Keys even put her dancing skills on display.
Before Keys came onto the stage, opening acts Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona and Jermaine Paul treated fans to their soulful sounds. Jermaine Paul, a former Keys background singer, gave an enthusiastic effort and helped to rev the audience up. The momentum kept moving with Fiona and her powerful voice as well as charismatic smile as she performed the songs “Ay Yo” and “It Kills Me.”
As Robin Thicke made it to the stage, it was apparent that he was quite aware that his female fans were out in force. Decked in sunglasses and dark suit, Thicke crooned through the set, including “Lost Without U” and “Shakin’ It 4 Daddy.” Thicke kept things playful. He ended his set with “A Milli” by Lil Wayne with the audience singing along.
The lights were dimmed just after 9:30. “They Don’t Care About Us” by Michael Jackson filled Madison Square Garden. Drums from the 1996 track intensified with the main attraction of the night appearing on huge video screens before the fans.
Alicia Keys made her appearance in a cage wrapped in chains, with smoke flooding the stage. The singer started her show off with a “Love Is Blind” and “Caged Bird” medley, whipping her hair side to side as she emerged from the spinning cage out to the stage.
She asked the crowd, are you feeling good New York? The audience didn’t hesitate in their reply back. Keys, dressed in sparkling pants, tight black top and red tailed coat, used the entire stage, floating side to side along with the dancers on “You Don’t Know My Name.” She changed the vocals around on “Fallen” and continued on with “Another Way to Die,” her rocking collaboration with Jack White.
Jermaine Paul, the opening act, returned to stage when Keys sat down to the piano for the song “Diary.” Keys and Paul played vocal acrobatics together during the bridge of the song and it was obvious they have an onstage chemistry. Following a quick change of costume into a white, sleek dress Keys performed “If I Can’t Have You” and “Superwoman.” Throughout the show, the singer took several moments to explain how important it is to believe in yourself.
Following another outfit change, Keys’ “Put It in a Love Song” performance get got the fans riled up. Then Keys introduced Beyonce as she was descending from a staircase to join in with Keys on the rest of the song, with a dance breakdown ending the song. It was the first time Keys and Beyonce had performed together. Things were slowed down by Keys after the duet, as she performed “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” and “Unthinkable.”
With the surprise appearance of Beyonce onstage, it was quite fitting that her husband would be there as well. Keys stopped momentarily playing the piano. Then Swizz Beatz came onstage, followed soon after by Jay-Z. The city skyline and Times Square engulfed the arena with city scenes shining brightly on the audience. There’s something very moving when listening to “Empire State of Mind,” a New York city ode, when in the actual city.
Keys is a master of the piano always. However her night in New York was proof that she has the ability for putting on an outstanding show with her powerful message, strong imagery and massive vocals.
