Tag Archives: Alicia Keys

REVIEW: Alicia Keys Still Burns Brightly in a Spectacular Arizona Performance (9-10-22)

Co-Author: Katherine Amy Vega

PHOENIX — Alicia Keys brought the house down at Arizona Financial Theatre with her mighty chest voice, riveting talent on piano, and smooth, confident moves in an approximately two-hour performance. The “Alicia + Keys World Tour” is her first since her “Set the World on Fire Tour” in 2013, and it celebrates the releases Alicia (2020) and double album Keys (2021). Beginning in June 2022, the two-legged tour had 19 stops in Europe, and will be wrapping up in late September after 31 stops in North America – totaling 52 shows for the mega-talented Keys. This Phoenix stop was opened by Philadelphia-born singer/songwriter Pink Sweat$, whose debut album Pink Planet was released in 2021 after COVID-responsible delay.

When the lights went down for the “Princess of Soul”, a solar video crescendoed on the screen behind the stage and quickly immersed the audience in Keys’ “world”. After a keyhole appeared on screen, a curtain raised and the commanding and womanly silhouette of Keys was revealed.

Alicia Keys in Los Angeles
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Donning a plum taffeta trench coat over a blinged-out bodysuit, she took a slinky stroll toward the front of the stage – her glittery costume but a fraction of the shine of her charismatic presence upon her arrival. Keys said, “the vibe is amazing in here”, as she expressed appreciation to offer an “intimate” show to her fans, adding, “this energy is just what I wanted.” She kicked off her 34-song set with “Nat King Cole” from Keys, entrancingly playing her mobile grand piano while crooning and belting soulful lyrics.

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles - Photo by Kevin Winter
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Keys moved into a mashup of the Kanye West-produced “You Don’t Know My Name” and “Will You Ever Know It?” followed by a reggae-inspired version of “Wasted Energy” also from the Keys album. Soon after, she played a powerful, key-pounding version of “New Day” from 2012’s Girl on Fire.

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles - Photo by Kevin Winter
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Following was a sultry execution of her 2005 Grammy-winning song with Usher, “My Boo”, then she put her spin on “Nobody” by DJ Khaled. Her band, which included a standing bass, guitar, back-up vocalists, and two additional keyboard players showcased their talents in an interlude of Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall” while Keys briefly left the stage. 

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles - Photo by Kevin Winter
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Video clips of Harlem appeared on the screen behind Keys, who was now sporting a silk white and black jacket emblazoned with her name. Up next was an astounding version of her and Jay-Z’s hit “Empire State of Mind”.

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles - Photo by Kevin Winter
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Later, Keys exuberantly played DJ while surrounded by three keyboards, offering up alternate versions of three of her hits: “Skydive”, “It Is Insane”, and “Only You”. Her new 2-disc album Keys offers original versions on the first disc, “unlocked” versions on the second one, and on the deluxe edition – Keys II (2022) – some additional songs and alternate mixes. She made a game of the alternating versions, playing samples of each, bringing up the house lights, and having the crowd vote between versions with cheering. 

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles - Photo by Kevin Winter
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

After Keys descended the stairs and showed a little love by briefly walking into the screaming crowd, she returned to the piano for a heartfelt version of “Girl on Fire”, followed by her homage to self-love: “Superwoman” from As I Am (2007). Fans were asked to turn on their phone lights before joining her in singing “Fallin’”, and the room lit up both visually and in spirit for the beloved hit song that became a massive hit after she wrote and produced it herself in 2001.

Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

She treated fans to her dancing skills and self-assured voguing during “In Common” (Black Coffee Remix), which brought an infectious buzz to the atmosphere. The screams of her fans well-represented her idol status.

Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

After a bountiful hour and forty-five minutes, the pre-encore ritual began before her band started up with a slick instrumental version of Prince’s “Purple Rain” featuring a mean solo on a Gretsch by her guitarist. When Keys returned to the stage, she proclaimed, “this thing is special that we did tonight.” She was not wrong. Her library is full of songs about growth and loving yourself. She added, “the energy is beautiful; the energy is perfect”. What is more, Keys encouraged the audience to “make every moment count”, to push past fears, to live and love in an unpredictable world, “because what else even matters?” Her encore included “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” and “If I Ain’t Got You”. 

Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Keys’ performance was beyond outstanding – all the while exuding a heart of gold and exhibiting a warm, beautiful smile with a lovable, joyful presence – demonstrating what made and sustains her superstar status. On the same night, Kendrick Lamar as well as Alice in Chains with Breaking Benjamin and Bush were also performing in Phoenix at Footprint Center and Ak-Chin Pavilion. Of the many tours to choose from to spend your hard-earned dollars on this year, the “Alicia + Keys World Tour” was most certainly a worthy, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Alicia Keys performing in Los Angeles
Alicia Keys performs onstage at The Greek Theatre on September 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK)

Featured photo (top) by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for AK

Alicia Keys Announces Long-Awaited Return to Touring with Alicia – The World Tour

Today global music icon and 15-time GRAMMY Award winner Alicia Keys announced ALICIA – THE WORLD TOUR, her highly anticipated return to the stage. Keys will bring her repertoire of worldwide hits to iconic venues across North America and Europe, including a stop at the legendary Radio City Music Hall in Key’s hometown of New York City. The celebrated singer/songwriter/producer will visit major cities on both continents including London, Paris, Berlin, Atlanta, Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and more on the tour produced by Live Nation.

ALICIA Album Artwork

The tour announcement comes fresh off Keys’ exciting news to fans last night that her forthcoming seventh studio album ALICIA is set to be released worldwide on March 20, via RCA Records. Keys also gave fans a first-look at the album’s stunning artwork. Pre-sale for the album is set for Friday, January 24, in celebration of Alicia’s birthday on January 25.

Keys released the anthemic “Underdog,” the album’s new single, earlier this month to critical acclaim (“A be-jewelled slice of pop-soul with a gently euphoric feel” – Clash).  The track became the most added song at US top 40 radio upon its release. Previously released singles include “Time Machine” and “Show Me Love,” which earned Keys a record-extending 11th number 1 on the Billboard Adult R&B Songs airplay chart.

In addition to new music, Keys will be bringing her classics – from “No One” to “If I Ain’t Got You” to “Girl on Fire” – to life in a special multi-media, artistic experience on the ALICIA – THE WORLD TOUR stage each night. A meditation on love and life, the show will be a true celebration, filled with the magnetic energy that only live music can create.

American Express® Card Members can purchase tickets to the tour before the general public, beginning Wednesday, January 22nd at 10am local time until Sunday, January 26th at 10pm local time across Europe and the US (timings may vary in Europe). Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, January 27th from 9am local time.

Keys will be returning to host the Grammy Awards on Sunday, January 26th, airing on CBS.  She will release her book More Myself on March 31, via Flatiron Publishing.

European & North American Tour Dates — CLICK TO ENLARGE

North American Tour Dates:

Date City Venue
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
Thursday, July 30, 2020 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
Sunday, August 2, 2020 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 Baltimore, MD MECU Pavilion
Friday, August 7, 2020 Washington, DC The Theater at MGM National Harbor
Sunday, August 9, 2020 Philadelphia, PA The Met
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 Boston, MA Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
Thursday, August 14, 2020 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall
Sunday, August 16, 2020 Toronto, ON Budweiser Stage
Tuesday, August 18, 2020 Detroit, MI   Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 Cincinnati, OH PNC Pavilion at Riverbend Music Center
Friday, August 21, 2020 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica
Tuesday, August 25, 2020 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre
Thursday, August 27, 2020 Denver, CO Bellco Theatre
Sunday, August 30, 2020 Seattle, WA WAMU Theater
Monday, August 31, 2020 Vancouver, BC Pepsi Live at Rogers Arena
Wednesday, September 2, 2020 Portland, OR Theatre of the Clouds at Moda Center
Friday, September 4, 2020 San Francisco, CA The Masonic
Tuesday, September 8, 2020 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre
Friday, September 11, 2020 San Diego, CA Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Saturday, September 12, 2020 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Federal Theatre (Comerica Theater)
Tuesday, September 15, 2020 Houston, TX Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 Dallas, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Saturday, September 19, 2020 Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, September 20, 2020 Tampa, FL Hard Rock Event Center
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 Miami, FL Hard Rock Live Arena