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Spectator
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Magnificent: Stevie Wonder at BST Hyde Park reviewed
The highs of Stevie Wonder's Hyde Park show were magnificently high. The vast band were fully clicked into that syncopated, swampy funk, horns stabbing through the synths, the backing singers adding gospel fervour. And Wonder – now 75 – sang like it was still the 1970s, his voice raspy one minute, angelic the next. Anyone who heard that phenomenal group play 'Living for the City' or 'Superstition' and didn't feel 'ants in my pants and I need to dance', as James Brown once put it, should resign from life: they do not deserve such joy. That said, there were oddities. We were blessed with visits from four of Wonder's nine children, two of whom were given whole songs to sing while the great man had a breather, as were three of the backing singers. Then there was the opening of the show: ten minutes of Wonder addressing the crowd, who maintained a respectful silence while being told over and over – in different formulations and intermittent lapses into faux cockney – that there was too much anger in the world and we all needed to love each other. He couldn't decided whether he wanted to be Dick Van Dyke or Martin Luther King. Needless to say, scientists have as yet ascertained no link between pop stars telling concert-goers that we need to love each other more and increased social cohesion. Actually, the latest studies suggest that the longer such lecturing goes on, the more irritation among those being lectured rises. It's a phenomenon some call the 'Imagine Syndrome', which Wonder exemplified by then playing 'Imagine', so we could hear its timeless message of triteness through fresh ears. But within four songs we were at 'Master Blaster', then 'Higher Ground' and one was willing to forgive everything – all the gloopy ballads, all the showbizzery, even the white jacket with diamanté portraits of John Lennon and Marvin Gaye. Even singing 'Happy Birthday' to his youngest daughter was fabulous because it was Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday', not the song that launched a thousand cakes. There comes a point where you have to see these people before it's too late. I'm glad I got to see Stevie Wonder while he was still recognisably good enough to be Stevie Wonder because some legends are at the point where it's their catalogues rather than their voices that bring 65,000 people out. The day after Wonder, Hyde Park was meant to host the final show by Jeff Lynne's ELO, but a 'systemic infection' had forced him to cancel. I had seen Lynne a few times, and it was always tremendous fun. The week before, I had been at Villa Park, watching the final performance by Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, which was extraordinary and moving. What struck me was how under-celebrated the Birmingham music scene of the late 1960s has been. You can't move for the mythologising of Manchester and Liverpool pop, and though the city bigs up its links to metal, you rarely hear about the products of Brumbeat. But this was the generation that gave us Steve Winwood (and the Spencer Davis Group and Traffic), Lynne, Ozzy and Sabbath, Roy Wood (who was the pre-eminent genius of the lot at the time), the Moody Blues and half of Led Zeppelin. That's one of rock's greatest cities, not the butt of a joke. Finally to Heavenly, the most overqualified group in pop history (seriously, Google them). They are the unlikely heroes to a small but dedicated scene, known as indie-pop or twee-pop, in which emotional directness trumps technical virtuosity: Kurt Cobain loved them for being punk rock and entirely without machismo. Theirs is a political stance based on not compromising principles (the show was part of a DIY weekender they had organised themselves) and being avowedly feminist ('Hearts and Crosses' sets a story of rape against queasy fairground organ). That makes it sound strident and hectoring, but Heavenly are not that. The songs would not have troubled Steely Dan's session guys, but they are full of joy, vim, life. Best of all, there were plenty of twentysomethings in the crowd, filming and dancing and singing along. No need to be Stevie Wonder to be an inspiration to the generations to come; simply capture something truthful.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
"I'm not gonna stop": Stevie Wonder has no plans to retire
Music icon Stevie Wonder said that as long as he's alive, he will continue to perform and create music, stating, "I'm not gonna stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body," according to People. Music icon Stevie Wonder said that as long as he's alive, he will continue to perform and create music, stating, "I'm not gonna stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body," according to People. "For as long as you breathe, for as long as your heart beats, there's more for you to do," said Wonder. He added that "an artist doesn't stop drawing just because." Instead, "you keep on. So as long as you can imagine, as long as you are going to be creative, and as long as you let your mind work, you don't have to retire." Wonder, who released his debut studio album when he was 12 years old, said that even to this day, "I love playing music, that's like my mantra. I think I can do all the stuff I want to do - still have fun and do what I need to do - but I'm not going to stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body," reported People. He added, "I love doing what I'm doing." When it comes to his many successes, like "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," "Superstition," and "I Just Called to Say I Love You," the 25-time Grammy winner has no trouble performing them repeatedly. "Songs are like children, they're with you forever," he said, explaining that "they are statements from the spirit within you, and singing those songs is like me taking another breath," reported People. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Wonder, who made a surprise performance at the 2025 Met Gala, is currently slated to play his many hits around the country with Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation's Broken Heart tour, which has upcoming stops planned for Pittsburgh, New York City and Atlanta, as per the outlet. Before that he was most recently playing live onstage in the United Kingdom for the Love, Light & Song UK Tour. It was during a July stop at Blackweir Fields in Cardiff, Wales, the singer made headlines after he joked about rumors that he can actually see. "I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking: 'When did I want to let the world know this?' But I wanted to say it right now," Wonder began. "You know, there have been rumours about me seeing and all that?" "But seriously, you know the truth. Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind," he continued. "Now, that was a blessing because it's allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what color they are, but what color is their spirit?," reported People.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Stevie Wonder, 75, speaks out about possible retirement plans
Well, isn't this lovely. Stevie Wonder clarified that he has no plans to retire for as long as he's alive during Monday's episode of the BBC's 'Sidetracked' podcast. 'For as long as you breathe, for as long as your heart beats, there's more for you to do,' Wonder, 75, told host Annie Mac. 'I'm not gonna stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body.' Advertisement 7 Stevie Wonder performs at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post The 'Superstition' hitmaker, whose career began in 1961, explained that he's still happy singing and performing. 'I love doing what I'm doing,' he shared. 'An artist doesn't stop drawing just because. You keep on. So as long as you can imagine, as long as you are going to be creative, and as long as you let your mind work, you don't have to retire.' Advertisement 7 Stevie Wonder playing the piano in 1970. Redferns 7 Stevie Wonder performs at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 1983. Getty Images Wonder continued: 'I love playing music, that's like my mantra. I think I can do all the stuff I want to do – still have fun and do what I need to do – but I'm not going to stop the gift that keeps pouring through my body.' The music legend declared that 'songs are like children, they're with you forever.' Advertisement 'They are statements from the spirit within you,' he went on, 'and singing those songs is like me taking another breath.' 7 Stevie Wonder performing at the Democratic National Convention in Aug. 2024. Ron Sachs – CNP for NY Post Wonder confirmed on the podcast he's working on 'Through the Eyes of Wonder,' his first album since 2005's 'A Time to Love.' 'I'm excited about that,' he said of the upcoming project. 'I have a lot of songs I haven't released yet. I'm going to let it just be there.' Advertisement 7 Stevie Wonder performs during the 2025 Grammy Awards in February. Getty Images for The Recording Academy Wonder has put out 23 studio albums and won 25 Grammy awards in his career. He's been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame. Last year, he embarked on his 10-date 'Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation's Broken Heart' tour in the fall ahead of the election, following his performance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. 7 Stevie Wonder speaks onstage at the 2025 BET Awards. AFP via Getty Images Earlier this month, Wonder addressed the long-standing rumor that he isn't actually blind during a stop in Wales on his Love, Light and Song UK tour. 'I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, 'When did I want to let the world know this?' But I wanted to say it right now,' Wonder said to the crowd. 7 Stevie Wonder at the GRAMMY Museum LA Live on July 15, 2025. Getty Images for The Recording Academy 'You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth,' the 'Overjoyed' singer added. Advertisement Wonder recalled losing his eyesight shortly after his birth, which he called 'a blessing.' 'It's allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight,' he said.
Metro
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stevie Wonder clears up bizarre rumour that he's not really blind
Stevie Wonder has addressed the bizarre rumors floating around about his blindness, describing his sight issues as a 'blessing'. The 75-year-old opened up about his health while performing in Cardiff last week, during his Love, Light and Song tour – ahead of his electrifying stint at London's BST Hyde Park on Saturday. Appearing on stage in the Welsh capital, the Isn't She Lovely singer took a moment to speak out against claims that he can actually see. 'I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, 'When did I want to let the world know this?' But I wanted to say it right now,' he began in footage making the sounds on social media. 'You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that,' he continued, to laughter from the crowd. 'But seriously, you know the truth. 'The truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind. Now, that was a blessing because it has allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. 'Not what color they are, but what color is their spirit?' Stevie was born premature and went blind shortly after – he was diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) at six weeks old, due to too much oxygen in his incubator. According to the Mayo Clinic, this occurs when blood vessels 'swell and grow too much in the light-sensing tissue at the back of the eye'. The overgrown vessels can sometimes slowly scar the retina and pull it out of place, causing retinal detachment, which can 'harm vision and cause blindness'. He found his passion for music at an early age and began releasing albums in the 60s, and went on to become one of the best-selling artists in history – thanks to hits including Superstition, Part-Time Lover, I Just Called To Say I Love You and Signed, Sealed, Delivered among many others. Last year, he made a rare comment about his childhood while recording the Wonder of Stevie audiobook series with Wesley Morris and President Barack Obama. 'I was born. Shortly after that, I'm blind,' he said at the time. 'My mother went through the different things, and so my experience with that was deep.' He recalled hearing his mom cry 'every night', until he told her: 'Mama, you shouldn't cry, you're making my head hurt. 'And I said, 'Maybe God has something for me that's bigger than all this'. 'History proved that true.' Stevie has faced scrutiny over his sight many times over the years, with his fellow celebrities making light of the speculation. Appearing on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2019, Lionel Richie joked: 'I'm going to tell you something – I've been spending my whole life with him thinking, 'He can see, I know he can see.' 'I went to his house. He says, 'Wanna hear a new song? I've got it in the car. Come on, go with me.'' He shared that his pal sat in the driver's seat, 'cranked the car up, put the tape in … and starts driving back down the driveway'. 'I screamed, 'Stevie! What are you doing?' And he said, 'Ah, got you, didn't I?'' More Trending In 2016, Anthony Anderson also unpacked his friendship with Stevie during an appearance on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Questioned on whether he once challenged Stevie to a charity basketball game, the Blackish actor quipped: 'I did… What y'all don't know is, Stevie can see. It's just an act. 'I'm telling you, have him on the show! Put stuff in his way, I bet you he'll step over it.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Bruno Mars says he's 'almost out of debt' after rumoured $50million gambling loss MORE: Horror director reveals why Amazon Prime series star was cut from new 90s reboot MORE: Reese Witherspoon's nickname for her financier boyfriend is so Reese Witherspoon
Wales Online
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
20 brilliant pictures of the first Blackweir Live event as Cardiff hosted huge crowds and global stars
A huge summer of music in Cardiff saw the introduction of a brand new gig series in one of the city's beautiful parks. Blackweir Live has taken over Blackweir Fields in Bute Park, and brought four global artists to Cardiff. Although the gig series has been met with some criticism, many have enjoyed seeing the impressive line-up. The gig series kicked off with American singer-songwriter Noah Kahan, followed by Alanis Morissette, thrash metal band Slayer, and finally music legend Stevie Wonder, all of who delighted the massive crowds. With a capacity of a whopping 35,000 people this gig series is awe-inspiring. Read why we think the concert series taught us we can dream big, here. Blackweir Live is run by Depot - who also look after the Cardiff Castle gigs which has seen Elbow, James, Snow Patrol and more perform - and Cuffe and Taylor. Home to a massive and towering stage, many concertgoers could not get over how huge the site was. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here At Blackweir Live, there were bars lining each side and food stalls with pretty much every cuisine you could imagine; you weren't just limited to burgers and chips here. Noah kicked off the gig series with a very impressive set, featuring his hits like Stick Season and You're Gonna Go Far, meanwhile Alanis brought all the 1990s nostalgia. Slayer's pyrotechnics and hard rock classics elicted some righteous moshing, and the icon that is Stevie Wonder finished the gig series with classics like Superstition and Isn't She Lovely. Often the weather was stunning for the gigs, meaning the fans remained dry. An impressive feat for summer in Wales. The insane operation behind pulling off the first-ever Blackweir Live can not be ignored. They nailed the scale of the road closure, seeing fans exit safely and head home. There were pedestrian bridges built over the canal just for the gigs to ensure a smooth exit, there were extra trains from Great Western Rail and Transport for Wales, and the whole event felt well-thought-out and clear. Here are some of the pictures from the first-ever Blackweir Live gig series in Cardiff.
