Chic featuring Nile Rodgers at Madison Square Garden
Photo by Greg Cristman

Earth, Wind & Fire and Chic ft. Nile Rodgers had MSG dancing in the aisles (pics, setlists)

Nile Rodgers has had quite the resurgence lately, and his ongoing tour with his old band Chic is yet another reminder of how powerful his music has been for decades. The tour hit MSG on Monday night (8/7), where Nile and his band played a handful of Chic hits (“Good Times,” “Le Freak,” “Everybody Dance,” and more), plus other hits he co-wrote and/or produced during the disco era (Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” and “Upside Down,” Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family,” David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance”). He also played his Daft Punk collaboration “Get Lucky,” which helped kickstart his resurgence, and ended the set with Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight,” which famously samples “Good Times.” The tour is with fellow disco/funk greats Earth Wind & Fire, who loaded their set with their own hits like “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” “Shining Star,” “Fantasy,” “Let’s Groove,” and more.

The show was actually Chic’s first-ever performance at MSG, and it also doubled as the 37th birthday party for Earth Wind & Fire singer Philip Bailey’s son. It indeed felt like a party, with everyone on their feet and dancing in the aisles and quite often singing along. During one song late in the set, Philip Bailey hit some high register notes that looked like it even surprised him and blew everyone away. It was a fantastic show.

Pictures are in the gallery above and you can check out setlists below.

Chic featuring Nile Rodgers Setlist:
Everybody Dance
Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)
I Want Your Love
I’m Coming Out (Diana Ross song)
Upside Down (Diana Ross song)
He’s the Greatest Dancer (Sister Sledge song)
We Are Family (Sister Sledge song)
Get Lucky (Daft Punk song)
Let’s Dance (David Bowie song)
Le Freak
Good Times
Rapper’s Delight (The Sugarhill Gang cover)

Earth, Wind & Fire Setlist:
Shining Star
Getaway
Sing a Song
On Your Face
Serpentine Fire
Kalimba Story
Can’t Hide Love
Keep Your Head to the Sky
Devotion
That’s the Way of the World
Beijo (Interlude)
After the Love Has Gone
Reasons
September
Boogie Wonderland
Let’s Groove

Encore:
Fantasy
In the Stone

photos by Greg Cristman