Some gigs are just made for pure joy, and a Nile Rodgers & Chic concert guarantees just that. From the moment Nile Rodgers stepped onto the stage, guitar in hand, it was clear that this was going to be a night of wall-to-wall classics, celebrating some of the most iconic songs in music history. Rodgers is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, a multiple Grammy winner, and quite simply one of the most important figures in modern music.
Whether through his work with Chic, his collaborations with David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross, and Daft Punk, or his signature production style, his influence has been massive. This show was a reminder of just how many timeless tracks he has been responsible for.
The setlist was relentless, with barely a moment to catch breath between one classic after another. They kicked off in style with “Le Freak”, instantly setting the mood with its infectious groove. From there, it was an unstoppable disco-funk party, running through “Everybody Dance”, “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)”, and “I Want Your Love”.
It wasn’t just Chic songs either—Rodgers made sure to celebrate his wider body of work, seamlessly blending tracks he produced for other artists. Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down” flowed effortlessly into Sister Sledge’s “He’s the Greatest Dancer” and “We Are Family”, creating an atmosphere of pure celebration.
One of the most impressive aspects of the show was seeing just how many generations of music Rodgers has influenced. He took us from Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” to David Bowie’s “Modern Love”, before moving into the Daft Punk era with “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance”. Hearing these tracks live, played by such an incredible band, was something truly special. Even Beyoncé’s “Cuff It”, which heavily features Rodgers’ signature chic-style guitar work, sounded completely at home in the set.
This wasn’t just a nostalgia trip. Rodgers has been shaping the sound of popular music for decades, and this performance was proof that his influence is still as strong as ever. The crowd were on their feet from the first note and never sat down. By the time “Let’s Dance” kicked in, the entire venue felt like a huge dancefloor, and when the final medley of “Good Times” and “Rapper’s Delight” began, it was clear that no one wanted the night to end.
There are few musicians who can fill a setlist with so many stone-cold classics, and even fewer who can still perform them with such passion and energy. Nile Rodgers is a living legend, and seeing him live is more than just a concert—it’s a celebration of the music that has shaped generations.
This wasn’t just a night of nostalgia, it was a reminder that great music never ages. And as the final notes of “Good Times” rang out, it was impossible not to smile. Because that’s exactly what a Nile Rodgers gig is all about—pure, unfiltered joy.
Setlist: Le Freak, Everybody Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah), I Want Your Love, I’m Coming Out / Upside Down, He’s the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family, Like a Virgin / Material Girl, Modern Love, CUFF IT, Get Lucky, Lose Yourself to Dance, Lost in Music, Notorious, Spacer, Soup for One / Lady (Hear Me Tonight), Thinking of You, My Feet Keep Dancing, Chic Cheer, My Forbidden Lover, Let’s Dance, Good Times / Rapper’s Delight
Two bands that I have never seen before. However, on checking (on this blog) I discovered that I saw 
From the tour proportion material: “With the force of a Boston wrecking ball, EXTREME swing between unapologetic fits of fret-burning hard rock and intimately introspective balladry. This dynamic affirms the iconic multiplatinum Beantown quartet—Gary Cherone (vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Pat Badger (bass), and Kevin Figueiredo (drums) – as one of rock’s most unpredictable, undeniable, and unbreakable groups whose songs course through the very fabric of popular culture.“
“They’re the rare band whose music has appeared in an actual cult series a la Bill & Ted as well as the Netflix juggernaut “Stranger Things.” They’ve sold 10 million records, topped the Billboard Hot 100 at #1, packed major venues on multiple continents, memorably performed at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in London, and regularly average over 5 million monthly listeners on Spotify. However, their dynamic approach hits harder than ever on their 2023 full-length offering, Six.”
Notwithstanding that excellent buildup of Extreme this was very much a double headliner concert. It is one of the very few occasions where I have seen the venue absolutely heaving for the “support act”. 
Extreme. This is exactly the most appropriate name for this band. Everything about them was extreme! Very loud. Hard rock. Amazing vocals. Excellent screaming screeching guitar solos. Again, like Living Colour, Extreme mash up a selection of styles: heavy rock, ballads, rap and funk. Anyone who went along expecting all their music to be in a similar vein to their best known track “More Than Words” would have got a great big shock. For that particular song the singer Gary Cherone and guitarist Nuno Bettencourt sat on small stools centre stage and had all the crowd singing along.
Much crowd cheering, first finger and little finger salutes, singing along and general craziness. This band were much, much better than I expected. I recognised a few songs particularly the aforementioned “More Than Words” and their other well-known track “Get the Funk Out”. This band wear their influences on their sleeve, playing segments of Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and “Fat Bottomed Girls”. “Cupid’s Dead” was preceded by a short segment of Johnny Nash’s “Cupid”. At the end Gary Cherone clambered up onto the balcony to shake hands with fans upstairs. Marvellous. Great fun.
Elaine really enjoyed it. I think I may be converting her to heavy metal. Jan also enjoyed the show. Many thanks to Elaine for the photographs, to Jan for accompanying us and Chris for manoeuvring the blog site.
Setlist: It (‘s a Monster); Decadence Dance; #REBEL; Rest in Peace; Hip Today; Teacher’s Pet / Flesh ‘n’ Blood / Wind Me Up / Kid Ego; We Will Rock You; Play With Me; Other Side of the Rainbow; Tragic Comic; Hole Hearted; Cupid’s Dead; Thicker than Blood; Hurricane; Midnight Express; Am I Ever Gonna Change; More Than Words; Fat Bottomed Girls / Banshee; Take Us Alive / That’s All Right; Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee; Get the Funk Out.
A few of my friends were heavily into disco and funk in the mid to late 70s. Not being one to frequent the dance floors myself, I never quite got into that particular genre of music. However Marie and I regularly went to the Friday night dances at Newcastle Poly around that period, and saw many great bands there such as The Clash, The Damned, Taking Heads and others. So we were there when The Brothers Johnson played, along with some friends who had come specially to see them. This was the first night of their first UK tour, and by this time they had reached almost legendary status as a result of their work with Bobby Womack, Billy Preston and Quincy Jones. I remember that they arrived very late for the gig. They had flown in via London, I think, and had been delayed. However they did arrive and play a shortened set, which went down with a packed crowd which was a mix of the usual Friday night students, and soul and disco aficionados who had come especially for the occasion. 
PIck Up The Pieces! The Average White Band were great favourites of some of my mates in the 70s. Their blend of funk and rock would fill the dance floor in discos. I saw them in concert a couple of times, at Newcastle City Hall in 1976 and again in 1980. I remember that as a tight rock/jazz outfit, great at what they did, but to be honest they were never really by cup of tea. I went to see them along with friends who were more into them than me.
The Average White Band split up in 1982 but regrouped after some years and are still playing today. They played recently at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall as part of the Celtic Connections festival. Looking back through the programmes, which are pictured here, from those gigs did bring back some memories. The support act on one of those tours, I owuld think 1976, was Kokomo. 
Now there was a band, who are all but forgotten now, and much under-rated. Their blend of soul and funk was much more to my liking. Kokomo drew its musicians from a number of UK bands including The Grease Band, Arrival, and King Crimson. I recall seeing Kokomo quite a few times: a great gig in Newcastle Poly and at the Reading Festival, but can’t recall any of their songs. I must try and find one of their lps.
Bands like Average White Band and Kokomo represent a particular time and period to me; in fact I’d almost forgotten them. I’m finding the exercise of working through my programme and ticket collection very interesting. Its bringing back old memories, and reminding me of bands and times that I had forgotten. Its taking longer than I thought, however; I’m working through them, at least in part, alphabetically, and I haven’t yet completed the letter A…..
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