Live Review: Alicia Keys

This was the last stop of her Australian Set The World On Fire tour, and yet Alicia Keys showed no signs of fatigue despite taking to the stage for nearly two hours. The stage darkened as the band took their places and with a flourish, the cover was removed from a beautiful white grand piano centre stage.

Scenic visuals of the Brooklyn Bridge set the mood and a spotlight beamed on Keys in a diva pose as she let rip with “New York” and the introduction of Empire State Of Mind. This quickly dropped into a hip hop beat and Keys was joined onstage by four male dancers for Karma. The dancers seemed unnecessary and unfortunately were the weakest part of the whole show, from their costumes to their choreography. If anything they helped fill the ridiculously big stage as Keys had a lot of ground to strut for an “intimate” gig.

Keys began encouraging the audience a little too early to clap along and wave their arms but eventually they warmed up and she seemed to relax into the show. She was most at home seated at the piano. A turning point in the gig was a beautiful piano instrumental and then silence as she dropped into Fallin'. A shiver went around the room. This was the best way to hear Keys, oozing soul with just her voice and the piano. Her voice hit home with just enough heartbreak mixed in with hope and determination. Of course the whole room ended up singing along and it felt right.

The second half of the show flowed effortlessly and as Keys took a quick break her male and female back-up singers showcased their vocal prowess. The four-piece band were energetic and grooved along to every song. The audience abandoned their chairs as she flowed from hit to hit, How Come You Don't Call Me a particular highlight. If I Ain't Got You saw a cameo from Jessica Mauboy and No One closed the set before she encored with Girl On Fire.

She then ended as she began, with a final encore of Empire State Of Mind and her first costume change into a stunning sparkly black dress. She was charming, charismatic, sexy, inspiring and simply an extremely professional performer.