The line outside the Stuart C. Siegel Center stretched several blocks as more than 4,000 people turned out Friday night to see The Roots and John Legend perform live at VCU’s Homecoming Concert.
Tia Ruggles, a junior, came to see Legend sing his hit song “Ordinary People,” which is already in heavy rotation on MTV and VH1. Friday night also marked her first Roots concert.
“The Roots tell a story in their songs and it’s just not something you get to hear everyday on the radio,” the 20-year-old said. “I think everyone can appreciate The Roots.”
Many in the crowd hadn’t even heard of Legend. Before this show, first-year student Diana Wagner had never heard of the piano-playing prodigy. She had seen The Roots perform last summer. “They’re such an eclectic mix of music,” she said.
Inside the center, the lights dimmed, the crowd’s pandemonium swelled in anticipation and two background singers harmonized. By the time John Legend stepped behind the keyboard center stage, it seemed the forgiving crowd forgot that the concert began an hour late.
He first performed “Get Lifted,” the titular song to his album, which is currently 6 on Billboard Top 100 chart and 2 on the Billboard R&B/ Hip-hop chart.
Legend moved seamlessly from one song to the next, stopping only to chat and jest with the audience of mostly college students. He also showed his humor about file sharing, a hot subject on college campuses and in the music industry.
“How many of y’all bought the album ‘Get Lifted?'” he asked. To the crowd’s loud response he clarified, “Nah. Y’all college students. How many of y’all got the real one?”
Legend has lent his sultry voice to several artists’ hit tracks. He treated the audience to a medley, singing hooks from Jay-Z’s “Encore,” Dilated Peoples’ “This Way” and Slum Village’s “Selfish.” Many in the audience were surprised to learn that Legend hit the high notes on Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name.”
More than anything, Legend made his audience a part of his performance and kept their eyes glued on him until the end. He played the keyboard passionately and told stories behind his songs. While new to the mainstream success, Legend worked the crowd like a veteran.
At one point, as Legend belted out his latest single, “Ordinary People,” audience members waved opened cell phones and lit up the darkened arena. The gesture of glowing neon lights was a tech-age throwback to how concert-goers showed audience participation and adoration in the past by waving ignited cigarette lighters in the air.
Legend told the audience, “I’ve got to come back to VCU – just let me know.”
His return to VCU may be complicated by his success. The university contracted Legend before his album sky-rocketed to the top of the charts. Tim Reed, director of University Student Commons and activities, commented before the show that Legend’s asking price per show has also sky-rocked into the six-figure range.
Legend left a good impression with the audience, especially Maker Jok. The sophomore biology major called him a legend.
“He performed really well. A lot of people liked his music. He’s a legend. The music, the sound, the tone – everything reminded me of a legend.”
Legend’s performance also solidified his status as a sex-symbol.
Bonita Moore, senior criminal justice major, said after the show, “I liked John Legend hitting that high note in that song by Alicia Keys. And he looks good!”
Ben Cokely, a psychology major who had started his party before the concert began, complained that Legend’s set was too lengthy and geared toward the ladies.
“”My buzz wore off,” he said, adding that Ludacris’ concert a few years back was better.
The Legend fans who left after his performance missed a spectacular dance-off between students during intermission and an even livlier Roots show.
The Roots hit the stage for a nearly two-hour, nonstop performance that had nearly everyone on their feet. Even John Legend came on the floor to watch Black Thought rap at spitfire pace over the group’s songs.
The group’s lead lyricist was amazed by the huge turnout – a sold-out crowd. “It’s a pleasant surprise to see how many people turned out,” Black Thought said.
For many fans, the highlight of the night came toward the end when each group member had a solo part on their instruments and played a medley of popular artists’ songs. Sounds from the bass, percussion, drums, keyboard and electric guitar pierced the pavilion at heartbeat-altering volumes.
The crowd seemingly threatened to mosh when The Roots played Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The electric guitarist brought the the house down with an extremely electric rendition of Ray Charles’ “Hit the Road Jack.” The group also paid tribute to late rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Drummer ?uestlove proved why he has a large following all his own, playing drums and percussion in an incredible finale.
This year’s concert garnered much comparison to the 2002 concert featuring Ludacris.
Jennell Holmes, a senior sports marketing major who scored a second row seat, said after the show that this concert was better planned and had better artists than the Ludacris show.
“This is definitely an improvement and I hope they do this for years to come. The homecoming committee did a good job of selecting talent this year.”
Even the drab black backdrop, huge view-obstructing sound equipment and cheesy smoke effects couldn’t hold back the show of two of the best live performers in music today.