You would be forgiven for thinking that Bedford, a market town on the edge of East Anglia would not be the first place you would think of catching world class music festivals, but in recent years the Bedford Summer Sessions have provided the perfect backdrop for some unforgettable shows. Closing the festival this year was an unforgettable evening of music with the legendary Nile Rodgers & Chic. The night was a joyous celebration of music, spanning multiple genres and five decades of timeless hits, proving once again why Nile Rodgers remains an indomitable force in the world of music both on stage and behind the mixing booth.
Nile Rodgers has made an incredible impression on modern music, with his work on stage defining Disco, Dance, Soul and Funk. As the co-founder of Chic, he created timeless hits such as “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” and his extensive work with artists like David Bowie, Madonna, and Daft Punk has cemented his status as a music icon. Rodgers’ exceptional talent and innovative production techniques have left an indelible mark on the music industry, earning him numerous accolades and a lifetime achievement award at The GRAMMY’s. Then, those catchy riffs and infectious melodies have found themselves samples in generations of rap, pop and dance music. This man’s roots run DEEP.
As the event kicked off with a tape play of “Kill the Lights”, the LED background lit up, setting the stage for an exhilarating performance. As soon as the band took to the stage, the energy soared with a string of classic Chic hits: “Le Freak,” “Everybody Dance,” “Dance, Dance, Dance,” and “I Want Your Love.” The crowd was immediately on their feet, dancing and singing along, fully immersed in the disco fever that Chic is known for.
Nile Rodgers, a maestro of musical production, then introduced a medley of hits he wrote and produced. The seamless blend of “I’m Coming Out,” “Upside Down,” (with a delightful riff of “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It”), “He’s the Greatest Dancer,” and “We Are Family” showcased his incredible versatility and prolific influence across multiple genres.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Rodgers knows where he comes from. In a heartfelt moment, he addressed the crowd, reflecting on his ten-year anniversary of being declared cancer-free after battling the disease twice. His gratitude towards his fans was palpable, attributing his survival to their unwavering support and energy. This intimate exchange powered up the evening, making it not only a celebration of music, but a shared celebration of life itself.
The night continued with an engaging story about his collaboration with Madonna. He humorously recounted their disagreement over the launch track, ultimately conceding that Madonna was right, “Like a Virgin” was most impactful. This led into spirited performances of “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl,” both delivered with the infectious enthusiasm that only Nile Rodgers can bring. Another standout moment was the cover of David Bowie’s “Modern Love,” a tribute to his late friend and collaborator. This was followed by a stunning rendition of Beyoncé’s “CUFF IT,” featuring an incredible vocal solo by Kimberley Davis, leaving the audience in awe.
Rodgers also took a moment to reflect on his successful collaborations with Daft Punk, both celebrating the critical successes of their work (the only Dance album GRAMMY win in the last 40 years), and expressing his sadness over their breakup. He performed “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance,” electrifying the crowd and showcasing his lasting impact on modern music.
The hits kept coming with “Lost in Music” by Sister Sledge and Duran Duran’s “Notorious,” the latter being a nod to his extensive work with the band. The performance of “Spacer” by Sheila & B. Devotion was another highlight, followed by a touching dedication of “Thinking of You” to his late friend and Chic co-founder, Bernie Edwards.
As the night drew to a close, the energy peaked with “My Feet Keep Dancing,” “Chic Cheer,” and “My Forbidden Lover.” The crowd was in a frenzy by the time the band launched into David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” with the drummer hyping up the audience to “maximum funk-asity.” In a special moment, local musician Alfie Templeman was invited on stage to join the final medley. The all-time Chic hit “Good Times” transitioned into a jam session featuring verses of “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang, and then back into the final chorus of “Good Times.” It was a perfect culmination of an evening filled with musical brilliance and joyous celebration.
As Nile Rodgers thanked the crowd, the tape play of “Honey Boy” by Purple Disco Machine closed the show, leaving the audience with memories of a night that was nothing short of magical. This concert was a testament to Nile Rodgers’ enduring legacy and his unparalleled ability to bring people together through the universal language of music. At 71-years old, he remains engaged, spritely, and showing no signs of slowing down too.
Setlist:
Kill the Lights – tape play as band took to the stage
- Le Freak
- Everybody Dance
- Dance, Dance, Dance
- I Want Your Love
- I’m Coming Out / Upside Down (with ‘Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It’ riff) / He’s the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family
- Like a Virgin / Material Girl.
- Modern Love
- CUFF IT
- Get Lucky
- Lose Yourself to Dance
- Lost in Music
- Notorious.
- Spacer
- Thinking of You
- My Feet Keep Dancing
- Chic Cheer / My Forbidden Lover
- Let’s Dance
- Good Times / jam / ‘Rapper’s Delight / Good Times Honey Boy
(Purple Disco Machine song) on tape
Originally published on Rock DNA Magazine – July 2024
https://www.rockdnamag.com/post/nile-rodgers-chic-bedford-summer-sessions-7th-july-2024