Stevie Wonder is one of the last true virtuosos of his generation, mistakes and all
Stevie Wonder is one of the last true virtuosos of his generation, mistakes and all
Rob FitzpatrickWed, October 14, 2026 at 8:51 AM UTC
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Stevie Wonder celebrated the 50th anniversary of his album Songs in the Key of Life in Birmingham on Tuesday - Getty Images for ABA/Katja Ogrin
On Tuesday nigh, the Utilita Arena celebrated Songs in the Key of Life, an album made by a young man at the very height of his powers. But that album was released 50 years ago. Wonder is 76 years old and there were moments during this tour-opening show where he struggled to hit notes or nail a harmonica solo. But none of it mattered because, as soon as Wonder asked the crowd to close their eyes and let “the eyes of our ears” notice the “beauty of hope and pain, the beauty of sorrow”, we were transported deep into his world and his unshakeable genius.
With his keyboards pushed to the lip of the stage, Wonder was right at the centre of a strikingly bold production, one that was both vast and intimate. There were at least 25 people on stage – singers, string players, percussionists, keyboardists – and still there on bass, Nathan Watts who played on the 1976 album. Whether Wonder was dropping jazz riffs into Love’s in Need of Love Today, chewing hard on the rich and soupy funk bones of Have a Talk with God or stretching out across the muscular instrumental Contusion, the band always gave him space and time.
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Wonder was positioned at the centre of a strikingly bold production, with around 25 people on stage alongside him - Getty Images for ABA/Katja Ogrin
It’s clear how in the moment this show is. Pastime Paradise was preceded by a singing lesson for the crowd, while before Summer Soft, Wonder whispered “I love you” and a mass of voices shouted it back. Isn’t She Lovely will forever be top-shelf cheese, but Joy Inside My Tears was warm, a little shaky and very human.
“My throat is hurting,” Wonder laughed before If It’s Magic, adding: “I need some English tea.” His voice faltered during Knocks Me Off My Feet, he fluffed the harmonica solo spectacularly during Easy Goin’ Evening (My Mama’s Call) and restarted As after a tiny mistake. But the couples who had risen to their feet and embraced each other tightly didn’t care. Wonder apologised, jokingly promising to practise more, and was readily forgiven. Near the end of a long show, the eager dancers dotted throughout the arena delighted in both the Afro-disco release of Another Star and tonight’s only non-album track Superstition.
Wonder is one of the last true virtuosos of his generation and it’s unlikely he’ll ever tour this masterpiece again. Tonight we saw a superstar performer willing, brave and adventurous enough to test the limits of his virtuosity. Long may he continue.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
