Concert Review: Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire Deliver a Celebration of Music in Hartford, People's Bank Arena

Darren Port
50 minutes ago
3 min read

Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind, and Fire proved their legendary status at Hartford’s People’s Bank Arena. From the first notes of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s Shining Star to Richie’s final song of the evening, All Night Long, the audience was on their feet, singing every lyric and dancing in every space. It was an ecstatic moment as the music spanned generations and decades of musical history.

Earth, Wind & Fire opened the evening with the poise and grace of a band that has spent more than five decades defining funk, soul, R&B, and pop. Their musicianship is extraordinary, but what stood out was their ability to make the performance feel like a celebration rather than a concert. It was truly monumental to see the band I spent moments of my childhood studying their album covers and hearing their music fill our Pontiac Grand LeMans station wagon on family road trips.

Three original members of Earth, Wind & Fire performed on Friday; all have regional ties. Guitarist Morris O’Connor and musical director/keyboardist Myron McKinley both have Connecticut roots, while bassist Verdine White spent part of his youth in Massachusetts before the family relocated to Chicago.

The setlist featured deep cuts alongside the songs everyone came to hear. Their cover of The Beatles “Got to Get You Into My Life” showcased the band’s versatility, and the arena erupted during hits such as “Fantasy”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “Let’s Groove”, and, of course, “September” By the time the closing chorus arrived, everyone in the building had become part of the performance.

Lionel Richie took the stage just moments after the stage-spanning LED wall displayed HARFORD, ARE YOU READY? Richie immediately connected with the nearly sold-out audience. The thunderous welcome felt especially meaningful given the events of the past few weeks. Richie had recently been hospitalized after experiencing dizziness during the tour’s opening night, forcing him to postpone two performances.

Richie shared stories about his illness, electrolyte intake, fan letters and gifts, and his life. His voice, deeper and more mature than in his early recordings, was expressive and warm, with the Lionel Richie phrasing that makes his songs timeless. Hits such as “Hello”,” Stuck on You”, and “Three Times a Lady” reminded everyone of how legendary his songwriting is.

The energy steadily built toward the finale.” Dancing on the Ceiling” transformed the arena into a dance party, and Richie closed the evening with the irresistible “All Night Long (All Night)”. It was impossible not to smile, shed a tear, and marvel as thousands of fans danced together, celebrating music that continues to transcend age and genre.

For both EWF and Lionel, a massive LED backdrop behind each artist delivered a stunning, emotional visual history of their remarkable careers. During Earth, Wind & Fire’s performance, the backdrop blended vibrant graphics with archival photographs spanning the band’s five-decade legacy, highlighting the group’s evolution across eras and reminding the audience of their influence across generations of music.

Lionel Richie’s production took a more personal approach. Throughout the show, the LED screens displayed a stunning collection of photographs and videos tracing his career and the changing face of New York City from the 1970s to the present. Images of vintage Manhattan streets, Times Square, neon marquees, and the city’s evolving skyline complemented the songs. The visuals evoked nostalgia without feeling dated, reinforcing the timeless quality of Richie’s catalog. Combined with family photos, career highlights, and memorable moments from his years with the Commodores and as a solo artist, the backdrop transformed the concert into a retrospective of both an artist’s journey and the decades of American music and culture he helped define.

Way beyond nostalgia, Friday’s performances showed why these artists continue to sell out shows decades into their careers. Earth, Wind & Fire delivered my year’s most energetic show, while Lionel Richie reminded everyone that charisma, iconic songwriting, and sincere appreciation for his fans endure.