Tonight, Chic featuring Nile Rodgers will be opening the show for Duran Duran in what looks to be a spectacular event.  Nile Rodgers is a musical legend, and his set with Chic was pure funk disco bliss. The show started with “Everybody Dance” into “Dance, Dance, Dance” and “I want your Love” which had the crowd standing and dancing.  Rodgers then played a couple of songs he wrote and produced for Diana Ross, “I’m coming out” and “Upside Down” which kept the crowd standing and singing along.  Songs like “We are Family” only cemented the fact that Rodgers is a legend in the music industry.  Rodgers touched upon their staples, including an ending with “Good Times” that had everyone on stage funking out.  Chic played songs Rodgers took part in, ranging from Daft Punk’s 2013 summer hit “Get Lucky” to a touching David Bowie tribute with the anthem “Let’s Dance.” They even represented songs that were somehow influenced by the band, including the Sugarhill Gang’s song “Rapper’s Delight” that features the rhythm section of “Good Times.”

I’ve heard all these songs on the radio; however, their music hits you even harder than you can even imagine live. Rodgers’ genius combination of disco’s love and funk’s passion resonated through the Chula Vista air for miles and miles, and I’m sure everyone was moving and grooving to the music. It’s impossible to not feel it within you, and the Sleeptrain crowd were perfect examples of what you should look like once your body surrenders to the intoxicating aura we call Music. You really cannot get a better opener than Chic, because almost no other veteran acts can get you immediately charged like they do. It was a freak out that started the evening off with a bang.

The night was even more amazing because of the phenomenal bass and saxophone performances played during the show.  The extensive visuals (which blasted lyrics on screen and some retro imagery like fake pyrotechnics and weird beings) were the back drop of what would be known has no ordinary opening act.  It was a night of 80’s reminiscing that was cloaked by the nighttime sky as the sun set.  As the liveliness from Chic’s song “Le Freak” seeped into the crowds souls they went crazy.  I think the entire crowd left that night getting their “Le Freak” on.  I know we did.

Review by Storm@backstage360.com

Images: Brian Tierney / BackStage360

Venue:  Sleeptrain SD on August 2^nd, 2016