Tonight:
9°c
Latest: Policeman admits murdering his fiancee — also a constable — then staging a fake car crash days before they were due to marry in St Lucia
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Chris Elwell-Sutton's rating
Reader rating
Description: The veteran singer-songwriter takes a trip through his back catalogue of hits spanning almost 30 years.
Phone: 0870011 2626
Trains: Tube: Wembley Park 
Charming: Lionel Richie received a rapturous response from an audience made up of many groups of thirty-and-forty-something women
For many, he will be forever known as the "black Barry Manilow", defined derisively by his super-sentimental 1984 smash hit, Hello and the almost impossibly corny video that accompanied it. But Friday's long and energetic show, part of an 18-month world tour, demonstrated admirably the showmanship and charisma that has earned Lionel Richie a 30-year career and tens of millions of album sales.
Looking far younger than his 57 years, he opened with a slightly disappointing rendition of a rather uninspiring ballad, Just for You, on which his voice failed to shine. Nonetheless, he received a rapturous response from the 10,000-strong audience which contained many groups of high-spirited thirty-and-forty-something women, charmed by genuinely funny banter and an infectious grin.
Things went sharply uphill from this point as his band upped the tempo, delivering Commodores tracks from the Seventies funk era, with Richie reliving his days as an Afro-sporting funkster as he belted out the sexually charged lyrics of Brickhouse.
He was at his best, however, when sat at the piano, having comedically donned a bow tie, to perform ballads from his solo career as well as Commodores classics such as Easy and Three Times a Lady.
Creating a loved-up, singalong atmosphere, Richie showed off the warm soulfulness of his voice and provided a reminder of his considerable prowess as a songwriter.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
[ 1 ] [ 2 ]
Saw Lionel at Wembly on Sunday 13 May. After a slightly delayed start, which only whipped the audience up into more of a frenzy... Lionel did not disappoint. He was stunning throughout the whole 2 hours. Amazing for 57 years of age - puts most of the latest crop of singers to shame. I wonder if they will be around belting out hit after hit in 30 years' time. Truly awesome.
- Heidi, Poole
My boyfriend and I went to see Lionel on Sunday. The whole performance was excellent and I was amased to see such a wide range of age groups attend. Sitting in front of us where 3 13-14 year olds having the time of their life! Worth every penny (Lover!).
- Sarah, Harlow
The concert was AWESOME! Lionel Richie is one of pop music's biggest living icons of this era and he proved that with his latest outing at Wembley arena. It is quite funny how most popular black artists are always compared to a white singer. It's especially unnerving when it has a condescending twist to it if you ask me. Barry Manilow will always be the White Lionel Richie to many people.
- Garth, London
My wife and I went to the concert on Saturday, boy what a performer. Nearly 3 hours he performed for and still left the crowd begging for more. Always a treat to go to a Lionel Richie show, never to you leave thinking you have been short changed.
- Darren, London
