Nile Rodgers with Chic, review, at the BBC's New Year's Eve celebrations: A sensational way to ring in 2018
Rodgers pays tribute to a gigantic body of work by performing his biggest and best hits
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Opening with “Everybody Dance”, Nile Rodgers appears in a sky blue suit and signature white beret to the accompaniment of the tightest band since James Brown’s Live at the Apollo record.
Next up another Chic song – “Dance Dance Dance” – turns the energy up a notch; the impressive 10-piece band lead into the familiar chimes of “I Want Your Love”, with lead vocals ably handled by Kimberly Davis, as fans are reminded how fitting it is that Rodgers and the band are celebrating their 40th year, along with the 40th anniversary of New York’s Studio 54.
“I have the best day job,” says Rodgers. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Diana Ross, Daft Punk, Sister Sledge, David Bowie, Sam Smith, Duran Duran...” It’s not a boast – he pays tribute to this gigantic body of work by playing a medley of songs by his collaborators, including Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” and Pharrell’s “Get Lucky” which he produced with Daft Punk.
The horns are blowing up a storm, sensational, meanwhile Rodgers has slipped into a new outfit: in silver shiny jeans and hand-made white loafers he gets down into the deep funk groove of “Let’s Dance”. His unique style of “chucking guitar” on the instrument he affectionately named “The Hitmaker” sends the 1,000-strong crowd wild.
Big Ben bongs out midnight, as fireworks on the Thames feature on giant screens. The band return to celebrate 2018, with Rodgers encouraging the crowd to remember “Seventies old-school disco” by finishing with Chic’s “Le Freak”, Sister Sledge’s “Lost in Music” and monster track “Good Times”. What a way to ring in the new year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments