Photo: Ramon Rivas
Alicia Keys blessed her fans with a stellar performance of her biggest hits on the first night of her summer tour.
On Wednesday night, June 28, loyal fans flocked to the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Fla. to experience the kick-off of the "Keys To The Summer Tour." Before Keys hit the stage, concert-goers had the option to take part in several fan experiences before her show. Keys' "One In A Trillion" experience allowed fans to attend a special "Soulcare Session" where they can sample her new Keys Soulcare skin products, grab some food and drinks, and snap a photo with the singer.
Shortly after the doors opened, the audience got to enjoy the sounds of Libianca, an afrobeats singer who's been making waves in the genre over the past few years. The Cameroon-American artist out of Minnesota and her energetic band kicked off the party by bring her fan favorites to life. It wasn't Libianca's first time in South Florida either. She was just in Miami last month to perform at Afro Nation 2023.
Once the lights cut off, thousands of phone lights lit up as Alicia Keys made her grand entrance while delivering a soulful rendition of "Fallin'" in a colorful ensemble with a gold top and golden bracelets glistening on each arm. Keys hit all the right notes as she made her way on to the special 360 stage, which came complete with a glossy white piano that was surrounded by her live band. She continued to belt out other classics like "You Don't Know My Name" and "Teenage Love Affair."
The stage began to circulate clockwise as she segued from a powerful piano solo at the end of "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart" into "Unthinkable," which gave everyone a chance to see her radiating smile as she performed. Fans got to enjoy several moments like this all night. At one point, the band interpolated the instrumental of JAY-Z's "99 Problems" into its rendition of "Girl On Fire." Keys didn't just sit behind the piano the entire time either. She appeared to go move with the vibes as she busted out her own dance moves throughout the show. She even had another dancer who came through like Usher for songs like "My Boo."
Photo: Ramon Rivas
At one point, she decided to rest and lay down on the stairs by the stage as she performed "Come For Me" and other songs off her recent KEYS album. As she made her way from one side of the arena to the other, fans could be heard screaming the lyrics to songs like "City of Gods," "How Come You Don't Call Me" and "Diary." The crowd thought the show ended after her vibrant performance of "Empire State of Mind," but no. She decided to come back on stage one more time to deliver her beloved ballad "If I Ain't Got You."
Alicia Keys' "Keys To The Summer Tour" is an intimate experience that fans around the country will love from start to finish. Make sure to cop your tickets now before they sell out.