Stevie Wonder in Detroit: October 22, 2024

Stevie Wonder at Little Caesar's Arena, Detroit. October 22, 2024

I've seen Stevie Wonder several times over the past 40 years, going back to a stadium show in Malmö, Sweden, that I remember mostly for getting there in the first place, and then for him doing a hilarious - and spot-on -- Jackson 5 medley. So it seemed almost a surprise to realize it's been almost a decade since I've seen him headline a show. Not that there have been many opportunities; he's basically been off the road since then.

This tour was only announced 5 weeks ago, and covers just 10 dates, mostly in election battleground states. But don't accuse Stevie of lacking preparation! Stevie came in with a full band and horn section, a 20+ person orchestra, and was supported on some songs by a local choir. By the time of the finale, "Another Star," there were more than 50 people on the stage -- and somehow it all worked.

There was a clear political tone to parts of the show. Before the show with the video screens showed reminders for voter registration and Michigan early voting, complete with QR codes so audience members could take some actions while waiting for the show to begin. After the show started, Stevie said, "I came up with this thing, and I'll share with you. For the young people I'll say it, but you all willget the point: all.all this negativity, I say that. You know what that means? Forget all that. OK, now, adults: All this negativity and racism, what we say about that?" Let's just say the audience reply started with a different f-word.

Steve introduced a new song called "Politic Player," before which he said, "I want you all to get out your phones." Stevie gave the words as spoken text: "Politic Player, why you play your politics so wrong / Politic Player why you play your politics so wrong / You get what you want / Then you're absent, up and gone." The song will be released in March, and I can only assume it'll be a blues. If it reminds a bit of 1972's "Big Brother," I'm guessing it's intentional.

Stevie started the show with another new song, "Can We Fix Our Nation's Broken Heart," which is about as subtle as its title. From there, the show took off, though marred twice by sound issues. But even those were turned in to opportunities: when massive static forced a halt to "Master Blaster (Jammin')," Stevie used the opportunity to play a verse of his awesome cover ot The Beatles' "We Can Work It Out." Later in the show, when the sound problems returned, he doodled a bit of Duke Ellington's "Satin Doll" and ad libbed a little ditty about the "mess up."

The heart of the show came after the 2nd sound issue was resolved, mostly with songs from "Songs in the Key of Life": Love's in Need of Love Today (with the choir) --> Village Ghetto Land (with the orchestra) --> Living For the City --> Sir Duke --> I Wish --> Politic Player --> Isn't She Lovely. Don't forget all that; it expressed who he is and what he's about in 2024.

Any Stevie Wonder show will be sprinkled with massive hits -- and leave a few out as well.  One that made the cut for this show, special for Detroit, 1987's "My Eyes Don't Cry," which had substantial sections of the audience attempting the "Detroit Hustle." In all, the show spanned more than 30 songs over two and a half hours.