CityLife

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo

Ne-Yo
MEN Arena
February 25, 2011

Having cancelled three of his UK shows to ‘concentrate on his fifth studio album’, R&B megastar Ne-Yo was given the red carpet treatment by the sell-out M.E.N. Arena for his Mr Smith tour.

At only 28, the self-proclaimed ‘Gentleman Of R&B’ has racked-up multiple Grammy award wins, sold more than 10m albums, collaborated with Michael Jackson and worked on several films.

Swaggering onstage to join two scantily-clad dancers, Ne-Yo launches into the stomping Beautiful Monster, causing the audience to dance in unison.

As the latest in a long line of American song and dance men, the Las Vegan’s influences are clear, as he exhibits Jackson-style yelps and body postures throughout the first half. Effortlessly switching from the up-tempo Because Of You to Mad, he displays a versatility most performers can only dream about.

Oddly for an artist of his stature, there were no backing singers – only a drummer and keyboard player – therefore a real punch to the performance was sadly lacking. Instead, a bevy of beauties dressed in next-to-nothing prevailed, as the tone of the show became overtly sexual.

Seeing the accomplished singer-songwriter simulate sex, with a number of dancers, detracted from the music – consequently the bond between audience and their star was suspended. 

A stellar performance of Miss Independent from 2008’s The Year Of The Gentleman rectifies his reputation, and dancefloor banger Cause I Said So cements the consensus that his finger is firmly on the pulse of contemporary R&B.

He ends with smash hit Closer, launching into the tightly choreographed routine from the video. With contemporary Usher trailblazing modern R&B pop performances, it appears on this showing, Ne-Yo has light years to go before it can be said he is a truly accomplished pop-performer.