Alicia Keys, tour review: Diva proves she’s the real deal with epic reinvention

Beyond the superstar posturing there lurks a constantly evolving giant, says John Aizlewood
Ego tripping: Alicia Keys
Rex
John Aizlewood27 May 2016

Never one to miss an opportunity for divahood, even as a major star playing a minor venue, Alicia Keys decreed that her fairly secret Shoreditch show would be a phone-free zone. In fact, many of the audience sneaked their devices through and furtively consulted them during the show. Not entirely surprisingly, nobody’s ego was damaged.

Now a 35-year-old mother of two, the winner of 15 Grammys has evolved into big-haired, big-earringed earth mother, part Erykah Badu, part Nina Simone. Inevitably late, before she played a note she had blessed the gig at some length and sagely reminded us to “find what we’re looking for in ourselves”. When she did finally get going, she stopped the opener halfway through and re-started “so you can hear every word I say”.

Beyond the superstar posturing there lurks a real-deal performer, a constantly evolving giant. Four years since her last album, three years since her last British dates, the former Alicia Cook has successfully re-invented herself.

Her new material, be it the stentorian, grandstanding ballad Hallelujah or the epic Pawn It All, was an in-your-face fiesta of pounding piano, walloping beats and spine-tingling vocals. Keys’s makeover extended to the hits and the affecting Fallin’ was loud and spartan, while the inspirational closer Empire State Of Mind was delivered like tablets of life-enhancing stone. Forget the self-defeating nonsense: she’s taken a huge leap forwards.

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