Gregory R. Cristman

Nile Rodgers' FOLD Fest happened (pics from day 2 w/ Duran Duran, Janelle Monae, Chuck D, Chaka Khan, Chic & more)

August 8, 2015

Gregory R. Cristman

Nile Rodgers & Chic w/ Chuck D / Janelle Monae / Chaka Khan

The night got off to a bang as Chic took the stage around 7 p.m. and never stopped playing. Performing one hit after another from “Dance, Dance, Dance” to “I Want Your Love,” Rodgers commanded the stage as a performer and Master of Ceremonies. He led the band through a slew of his songs with other artists including “Upside Down” and “I’m Coming Out,” both enormous hits he penned for Diana Ross.

The show seamlessly introduced Janelle Monae, who performed a number with Chic, before singing some of her own hits like “Electric Lady” and “Tightrope.” Her session included a rousing version of James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good),” that was a huge hit with the crowd.

From there the one and only Chaka Khan commandeered the stage, opening with her 1980s tune “I Feel for You.” Khan was upbeat and clearly enjoyed flirting with the crowd as she belted out several of her other hits, including “I’m Every Woman.”

After Khan, Chic reclaimed the stage and Rodgers got personal as he discussed being diagnosed with cancer 4 1/2 years ago.

“The doctor told me to go home and get my affairs in order, well I’m a musician and getting my affairs in order means going out and playing more music and writing more songs, because we cannot determine the future,” he said. Rodgers wrapped it up by saying he was now cancer free to rousing cheers and applause from the audience. – [Northforker]

Nile Rodgers‘ two-day FOLD Festival happened August 4 & 5 at Martha Clara Vineyards in Long Island, bringing in a host of talent and promising nothing but the hits. Like on the first night, Wednesday had Rodgers as MC and his group Chic serving as backing band, allowing for basically non-stop performances from Chic, Janelle Monae, Chaka Khan, and Grandmaster Melle Mel. Chuck D, who couldn’t make his scheduled slot on the first night, ended up playing on Wednesday. There was a break before Duran Duran‘s full-set headlining performance where Monae returned to sing on their new single “Pressure Off.” (DD had just come off two nights at The Cap.) Pictures from the whole day are in this post.

Day one of FOLD (“Freak Out, Let’s Dance” if you were wondering) featured Beck, Pharrell Williams, Keith Urban and more. It’s midweek dates may have been a factor in lower attendance than expected (around 3,300 the first night; 2,500 the second) but Rodgers promised FOLD will return in 2016…and on a weekend. More pics from the second night of FOLD Fest 2015 are below.

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