I’ve known about Stevie Wonder practically my entire life ever since his performances on Sesame Street. It was a no-brainer that I would attend his concert on Saturday night at State Farm Arena. It was the sixth performance of a ten-city run of his Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation Tour. Stevie’s last tour run was 2018’s The Stevie Wonder Song Party.
The night started a little rocky getting there because this is Atlanta and Atlanta is famous for one thing…traffic. The Gulch is also going through some renovations, and it was a Saturday night. Luckily the tour knew this and started the show 45 minutes later than the set time. Wonder walked out on stage with his daughter Aisha Morris and son Kailand Morris where he proudly introduced them. Then the magic began.
He started the night with a new song “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” that was inspired after he spoke at the DNC national convention. He quickly delved into the classics like “As If You Read My Mind”, “Master Blaster” and a personal favorite, “Higher Ground”. His signature vocals combined with backup singers, string section, a choir and a full band created a rich immersive sound that resonated throughout the arena. Between the songs, Wonder connected with the audience with humor and stories that spanned his sixty plus years as a performer. Wonder had a short intermission to give his voice a rest so he employed his protégé, singer and actress Sheléa, singer Major Johnson and Atlanta’s own Higher Calling Choir to entertain the crowd in his absence.
As the night drew to a close, he wrapped up the show with “Sir Duke”, “I Wish” and “I Just Called To Say I Love You” and the banger “Superstition”. His performance was more than just a performance, it was a celebration of connection, joy and song. His ability to bring generations together with his music is a testament to his craft. It was a night to remember and even four days later, I’m still humming the hits.
Set List Below:
- Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart
- As If You Read My Mind
- Master Blaster (Jammin’)
- Higher Ground
- You Are My Sunshine – (Jimmie Davis cover)
- You Are the Sunshine of My Life
- For Once in My Life – (Jean DuShon cover)
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
- Michelle – (The Beatles cover) (Snippet)
- All I Do
- My Cherie Amour
- Overjoyed
- Satisfaction – (The Rolling Stones cover) (Snippet)
- Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do) / Feel Like Makin’ Love (with Sheléa)
- You’ve Got a Friend – (Carole King cover) (with Sheléa)
- Something’s Coming – (Sheléa cover) (with Sheléa)
- I Prayed For You (Said A Prayer) (With Major Johnson Finley)
- Blessing of Abraham (Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers cover) (With A Higher Calling)
- Contusion – (Stevie returns to stage midway)
- Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing – (with Sheléa)
- Joy Inside My Tears – (with A Higher Calling)
- Love’s in Need of Love Today – (with A Higher Calling)
- Village Ghetto Land
- Living for the City
- Sir Duke
- I Wish
- I Just Called to Say I Love You
- Superstition
