We made the pilgrimage to see Sade and her band perform after an absence of 18 days at the O2 Arena last night. I didn't take any preconceptions but I was hoping for a chain of her better known songs from the 80's I must confess! I was also intriqued to see Sade working her definitive style. I wasn't disappointed on both counts.
Sade rules, she actually does. 
Back in the day Sade wasn't the most enthused about performing, infact she detested it by all accounts. A fashion student at St Martins around 1980, she trained in the era which produced Stephen Jones, John Galliano, Kim Bowen, Melissa Caplan, Stephen Linard and Lee Sheldrick. She soon gave it up but her looks and manner were already legendary even back then.
Initially Sade was in a pair of bands backing singing - Arriva and then Pride - she then became principal in Pride co writing Smooth Operator and eventually forming her own band under her own name with some of the original members of Pride. Amazingly all members have stuck true to the Sade journey, they are Andrew Hale, Paul Denman and Stuart Matthewman.
I know she's huge in America and I knew she had an album out a pair of days ago (Soldier Of Love and now The Ultimate Collection) but I always wondered why she didn't go in the UK over the years. I still don't know, perhaps some things are better unsaid. At the age of 52 she's really get into her own. Stylistically her vocal range is better than ever and really quite unique, without pastische, i.e. she's got her own way and she ever has. which is a matter I care about when listening to emerging singers- generally they always sound like someone else.
Ok next 'look', Sade came striding on in flats and a spruce and modish looking suit complete with pocket detail and braces, (can't see any pics alas). She worked the point with a backdrop of video installations, films and projections courtesy of Sophie Muller, it all looked perfectly in keeping, not trying too strong or complete the top, and here I go again, she looked immaculate, absolutely stylish. And you recognize what, when she had the saxaphone solo going on it didn't seem dated in the least. I take to a guilty sax moment! Her next looks were often more 'my lady' a white satin floor length gown and a red number, hair down.
Sade rules, she actually does.
it's all in the detail, precise, easy, she came on in a body con style outfit, plus signature 'polo neck' (I'd already discussed her wardrobe with a few friends! Bolero jacket, cummerband and capri pants were all options). She arrived on stage hair slicked backed, big hooped earrings, my favorite look really, looking elegant, modern, understated and most of all very glad to be on level in London.
The return.
Initially Sade was in a pair of bands backing singing - Arriva and then Pride - she then became principal in Pride co writing Smooth Operator and eventually forming her own band under her own name with some of the original members of Pride. Amazingly all members have stuck true to the Sade journey, they are Andrew Hale, Paul Denman and Stuart Matthewman.
The boys in the band.
I know she's huge in America and I knew she had an album out a pair of days ago (Soldier Of Love and now The Ultimate Collection) but I always wondered why she didn't go in the UK over the years. I still don't know, perhaps some things are better unsaid. At the age of 52 she's really get into her own. Stylistically her vocal range is better than ever and really quite unique, without pastische, i.e. she's got her own way and she ever has. which is a matter I care about when listening to emerging singers- generally they always sound like someone else.
Ok next 'look', Sade came striding on in flats and a spruce and modish looking suit complete with pocket detail and braces, (can't see any pics alas). She worked the point with a backdrop of video installations, films and projections courtesy of Sophie Muller, it all looked perfectly in keeping, not trying too strong or complete the top, and here I go again, she looked immaculate, absolutely stylish. And you recognize what, when she had the saxaphone solo going on it didn't seem dated in the least. I take to a guilty sax moment! Her next looks were often more 'my lady' a white satin floor length gown and a red number, hair down.
This is Sade now (above) but lets take a face at some of her iconic moments...
Early days hanging out, Sade and Ollie having a fag!Shapers Of The 80's.com)
What a lady, long may she reign!
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