Stevie Wonder: 3Arena sold out for 50th anniversary of classic double album
The 76-year-old performer played the 1976 record in its entirety before a full house in Dublin, featuring original bassist and a large ensemble.
By Ayanda Kaminski ·
Stevie Wonder performed the entirety of his 1976 double album, Songs in the Key of Life, at the 3Arena in Dublin on Sunday. The concert marked the 50th anniversary of the record, which won the Grammy for album of the year in 1976, following back-to-back wins for the same award in the early 1970s.
The venue was sold out despite high ticket prices. Wonder, now 76, led a large ensemble that included three percussionists, two guitarists, full horn and string sections, and a group of backing singers. He began the set with a spoken introduction asking the audience to close their eyes. After some initial wavering as his voice settled, he guided the band through the album’s complex arrangements.
Nathan Watts, the bassist from the original 1976 recording, joined the performance. The set featured a detailed rendition of Sir Duke, including a prominent brass breakdown. The band’s technical skill was evident throughout, with one percussionist demonstrating precise control using only a tambourine and triangle.
The performance included specific moments from the record that surprised attendees who had not listened to the full album in years. The track Knocks Me Off My Feet featured a combined string and brass arrangement leading to a key change. The instrumental Easy Goin’ Evening highlighted the interplay between horns, melodica, and Wonder’s chromatic harmonica.
Wonder integrated other styles into the set, playing a harmonica line that transitioned into Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. The song Joy Inside My Tears concluded with an unexpected violin solo. Harpist Brandee Younger accompanied Wonder on the track If It’s Magic. He also played a solo on the harpejji, a small instrument that combines elements of a piano and a guitar.
The show ended with no loss of energy. Wonder performed As, followed by the hits Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours and Superstition. He joked about running over time and interacted with the audience, offering a singing lesson to one listener and mentioning potential Irish ancestry. The sound engineers ensured that both loud horn blasts and soft guitar strums were clearly audible throughout the performance.
Source: The Irish Times
