Reviews

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival - Chic

Even for a man with a musical pedigree that stretches through five decades, Nile Rodgers has had an eventful three years since he last played in Cork City, to a half-full Savoy. On the personal front, the 61-year-old Chic frontman battled with prostate cancer and has come out the other side free of the disease. Professionally, he produced an autobiography that’s a must-read for any serious music fan, and has also become a household name again, on the back of his success with Daft Punk. ‘Get Lucky’ gave Rodgers his first chart-topping single in many years, and also ensured the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival had a rare concert sold out by early September.

Those who got lucky enough to be present in a packed Opera House went into party mode as soon as the guitarist and his eight-piece band took to the stage. Within the opening 15 minutes, such dancefloor classics as ‘Everybody Dance’ and ‘I Want Your Love’ had risen above the din of a chatty crowd. The hits kept coming, as Rodgers rolled out tracks he had produced for other artists, including Madonna’s ‘Like A Virgin’, Bowie’s ‘Lets Dance’ and ‘I’m Coming Out’ for Diana Ross.