By Derrell Jazz Johnson
From New York City to Los Angeles, and everywhere in between, concerts are back at some of the biggest and most iconic venues across the globe. Some of these tours and concerts are almost like reunions, as many are attending their first concert in over two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic that we all suffered through.
In Las Vegas, there are always icons on the stage at venues up and down the strip, and when I went last month, it was no different. The legendary Lionel Ritchie took the stage at Encore Theater inside Wynn Las Vegas and had the crowd singing along to his endless
and timeless hits like “Hello,” “Lady,” and “All Night Long”. Strangers embraced as Richie explained to the crowd how music brings people together, even in the most difficult of times. Richie is back at Encore Theater for select dates from March 30 – to April 9.
Park MGM has become the place for mini-residencies in Las Vegas, as they have hosted icons like Janet Jackson and Usher in the past. Currently, Park MGM has the
dynamic duo Silk Sonic, which features Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak now through April 2. An Evening with Silk Sonic will be followed up by Lady Gaga Jazz & Piano and Usher – The Las Vegas Residency.
Barclays Center has hosted concerts like Mary J. Blige and D-Nice as an opening act with the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul doing many of her biggest hits over her career that spans three decades. Barclays Center has also welcomed Bad Bunny in concert, and will soon host Maxwell, Anthony Hamilton, and Joe touring together as well as The Strokes and J Balvin in the near future. Barclays Center is also the home of the Brooklyn Nets.
Madison Square Garden hosted The Culture Tour featuring New Edition, Charlie Wilson and Jodeci, which encompasses artists that had huge hits in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The performers and the crowd both belted out timeless hits like “Mr. Telephone Man,” “Come and Talk to Me,” and “Outstanding” all night long for a vibe many didn’t know they needed until it arrived. The Garden will soon host Phish for multiple nights, Burna Boy, and the icon Billy Joel returns with his monthly, sold-out MSG shows. Madison Square Garden is also the home of the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.
A short trip across the water leads you to Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Prudential Center hosts the biggest names in entertainment and will host Jersey icon Bruce Springsteen, along with New Edition in the near future.
But the real blessing behind concerts returning is being able to reunite with people that you may haven’t seen or may not have even interacted with in over two years. It happened at the Lionel Richie concert, it happened at the New Edition concert, it happened at the Slick Rick concert, and it happened at the Tank concert. Music truly does bring people together, and music is onceagain uniting people all across America.