Alicia Keys experienced first hand the weather Bowral is famous for when she performed at A Day on The Green at Centennial Vineyard on Sunday.
But the wind and cold didn’t dampen her spirits as she bounced around the stage through an energetic two-hour set list that included some of her biggest hits such as Fallin’, A Woman’s Worth and No One.

And she certainly didn’t disappoint the 7000-strong crowd, who were also treated to lively performances from soul hip-hop group, Adelaide’s Lowrider and American Idol runner-up Jordin Sparks.

A Day on the Green promoter Michael Newton said Sunday’s concert was a success despite the gloomy clouds and chill that settled in as the evening progressed.

“We were happy with the turnout despite the weather, but it only really affected a few ticket sales at the gate,” he said.

Mr Newton said he spoke briefly with Alicia Keys about Sunday’s A Day on the Green.

“Alicia said she loved performing in Bowral and thought the vineyards was a beautiful location,” Mr Newton said.

“It’s definitely something different for big stars like Alicia to perform outside of cities.

“I also heard that Alicia’s manager was actually on the stage towards the end of her set.

“He was filming the performance and the crowd all around the vineyard because the atmosphere was that good.”

Cynics might think she was checking out the competition. But as Kylie Minogue danced, waved and clapped along heartily to Alicia Keys’ Auckland concert, it was obvious she was just as much of a fan as the 10,000 other people at Vector Arena.

She even stamped her feet in an arena-wide drum roll, demanding an encore.

And when it came - in the form of a funked-up version of No One - she raised her arms in salute to the formidable Keys. The original pop princess bowing down to the modern-day queen of soul.

The experience was surreal. There we were, having watched American Idol winner Jordin Sparks open the night with a surprisingly heartfelt and warm performance, when Kylie slipped into the seat in front of us. In the middle of the grandstand, amidst hundreds of regular punters.

But the night belonged to Keys, who opened proceedings with a headbanging, hip-gyrating performance of Go Ahead, before a Supremes-inspired routine to Teenage Love Affair.

Accompanied by a seven-piece band of multi-instrumentalists and three back-up singers - who brought the house down on their own on more than one occasion - Keys stormed her way through the opening set, pulling out a high-octane energy most bands save for their closing finale.

Just when it seemed she may be about to slow things down, coyly asking the crowd, “Is it alright if I play my piano for you tonight?” she launched into a colourful, fiesta-fied remix of Karma, describing the genre as “Spanish Harlem”.

Listening to Keys on the radio, she may come across as a restrained soul singer, but live in concert she is something else.

She breaks down heartbroken piano ballads, turning them into upbeat, funk jams; she high-kicks and booty-shakes better than Beyonce; she delivers rambling, rhythmic introductions to her songs, and ends them with sassy, understated punchlines.

Admittedly, it’s all a bit rehearsed. But Keys wouldn’t be the first musician to script her crowd dialogues.

Besides, Kylie didn’t seem to mind. And neither did the other 10,000 fans who screamed, stomped and begged for a second encore - even after a two-hour show.

It’s a hard act to follow. Good luck Kylie.

Alicia Keys ranks among the most successful female R&B artists today, but also deservedly stands apart thanks to the versatility and unique character she brings to her material. The 27-year-old New York native dished out a rich evening of soul Friday at theFoxwoods Resort Casino’s MGM Grand Theater in Mashantucket, a show that highlighted her chops as a singer and the musical range with which she backs them up.

Backed by a seven-piece band and three singers, the 11-time Grammy winner dove into a lineup of stout grooves the likes of her opener, “Go Ahead,” and worked out the funk-lined tune’s lyrics with a precision that was cool but never cold. Her singing was lean and economical, a sweet sparrow song in a musical landscape that more typically favors showy squawks, as she immersed herself in the grabby flow of “You Don’t Know My Name.” (more…)

R&B superstar Alicia Keys might have been late for her concert in Seoul Thursday evening, but her fierce performance more than made up for it.

Fans at the Jamsil Gymnasium, located in the Olympic Sports Complex, southern Seoul, impatiently waited for Keys to hit the stage at 8 p.m. Instead, K-pop singer Taeyang, a member of the popular group Big Bang, came out to keep the crowd entertained with two songs.

At around 8:30 p.m., someone announced over the PA system that Keys was still preparing for the show, garnering a few boos from the crowd. (more…)

The venue was changed at the last minute due to the unpredictable weather, but that did not matter to the excited fans who crammed the SMX Convention Center last night, August 5, to catch the live performance of Alicia Keys.

At 9:45 p.m., the crowd let out a loud scream upon hearing the powerful voice of Alicia saying: “Good evening, Manila! How are you all feeling tonight? Are you feelin’ good?”

Then she segued to, “Baby, baby, baby/ from the day I saw you/ I really, really wanted to catch your eye/ there’s something special ’bout you/ I must really like you…” (more…)

R&B singer Alicia Keys returned to the Montreux Jazz festival, giving a high-energy 90-minute concert mixing early hits with recent tracks from her chart-topping “As I Am” album.

“One of my all time favourite things is coming to the Montreux Jazz Festival. There is something different in the air here,” the Grammy Award-winning American singer and pianist told the crowd on Thursday night.

“There is so much incredible talent here,” she added. (more…)

Seated behind her piano on Wednesday night, plucking out the first few chords of “Sure Looks Good to Me,” Alicia Keys finally looked at ease. For about 20 minutes she had breathlessly, and limply, worked the Madison Square Garden stage — forcing sensuality on “You Don’t Know My Name,” getting lost amid her backup singers on “Teenage Love Affair.” But “Sure Looks Good to Me,” one of the best songs on her third and most recent album, last year’s “As I Am” (J Records), began with a welcome desperation. “Life is cheap, bittersweet,” she sang with a clear, melancholy exhale. “But it tastes good to me.”

Unfortunately, though, when Ms. Keys approaches something like a feeling, she pulls up like a runner with a sudden hamstring injury. And so this song, which held so much promise, slowly petered out into emptiness. (more…)