Live at the Marquee: Ne-Yo turns back time with moves and swagger

Ne-Yo gives an expressive performance to an enthusiastic audience during his sold out concert at Live at the Marquee. Picture: Chani Anderson

Ne-Yo made a comeback to Ireland as he played Live at the Marquee in Cork for the first of two nights in a row, dropping some of his top hits that took the world by storm in the early noughties.

The opening acts from DJ Tez and Mista Bibs and host Terrence Green saw the crowd chanting, dancing, and screaming to tunes that they were familiar with and enjoyed.

The sold-out show on Wednesday is part of the 44-year old’s latest circuit, the Champagne and Roses Tour, which was full of energy, partying, and of course “sexiness”. 

It was nearly 9pm when Ne-Yo took to the stage as the crowd of mainly women, in their teens, early 20s, late 20s, 30s and 40s jumped in excitement for the RnB singer to take the stage.

"Ne-Yo is the music of love" was what the crowd was told, before the American singer and his backup dancers walked slowly on stage as he donned a hat, sunglasses, and a glittery suit. 

All the phones then lit up recording the moment he started performing to Cork.

Yvonne Majoe and Muadi Kabundi were all smiles before the Ne-Yo concert at Live at the Marquee on Wednesday night. Picture: Chani Anderson

He’s a dancer, with cheeky moves and swagger and of course, sex appeal.

Chants of "I love you" echoed from the crowd to Ne-Yo alongside whistles and screams.

The inner children and teenagers of the people gathered at the front of the stage, listening to ‘Closer’ and ‘Give Me Everything Tonight’, exploded as they danced to the bops that were part of their childhood and early teenage years — and possibly their own children’s years.

Jaws dropped, mountains moved, tears fell as the crowd lost the plot as the ‘Miss Independent’ singer took Cork by the hand and guided them through the entire night

The nearly two-hour set was a marathon of non-stop dancing screaming and of course, flirtatious eyelash battering back and forth by the crowd and Mr Ne-Yo himself.

He brought three fans, handpicked by his backup dancer, to the stage to dance along — with one of the starstruck three hugging the singer and declining to let go.

Songwriter Ne-Yo has sold over 20m albums worldwide, and his 2005 debut single ‘So Sick’ was certified quadruple platinum.

Bright colours and mini skirts were the style of choice as modelled by Nora from Kerry and friends during the Ne-Yo concert. Picture: Chani Anderson

He has also written hits for other singers, including Rihanna’s ‘Unfaithful’, ‘Russian Roulette’, and ‘Take a Bow’, along with Beyoncé’s 2006 breakup anthem ‘Irreplaceable’.

Ne-Yo is set to take the stage for another night at the Big Top on Thursday and seduce the crowd yet again with tickets nearly selling out.

Live at the Marquee will also see Jenny Green and RTÉ orchestra play on Friday night, followed by Christy Moore on Saturday and Lyra on Sunday.