Maxwell at Ravinia

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On a day that was milder than usual for July, festival goers packed the beautifully sculpted lawn behind the sold-out Ravinia Pavilion in anticipation of the sensual singer with incomparable presence and vocal range. But before Maxwell took the stage, we were warmed up by UK soul sensation Daley. Daley elicited attention, screams, and applause as he began singing lyrics to Alone Together, one of his first hits, which features the Grammy nominated songstress Marsha Ambrosius.

A definite silence

You’re almost exactly what I need

A definite maybe

Is sure to entice my curiosity

I can't help but think that this doesn't add up

I'm trying to separate the facts from all the fiction

We’re living in a world of contradictions

And if baby you’re the truth then I’m lying next to you

Daley finished with a few new tracks from his current album Days and Nights. By now we were warmed up. The temperature felt less mild and the sold-out crowd was releasing screams, laughter, and joy as the band made their way to the stage – letting us know Maxwell was ready for us. We were ready. The lights were low. The energy was bursting with a simultaneous calm and elation. Just a few notes in and the crowd recognized a little Sumthin Sumthin and from the shadows of the smoke-filled stage emerged Maxwell. He went right into his greatest hits while teasing us all with his incredible flexibility and dance moves. When he hit the splits, got up and grabbed the mic in one smooth motion that could only be pulled off by Prince, James Brown and himself, Chicago welcomed Maxwell.

Moving from Urban Hang Suite all the way through to BLACKsummers’ Night, Maxwell did not leave a single fan disappointed. In fact, he heated the pavilion up quite nicely with a digital duet of Fire we Make, which featured the singer crooning on his knees to a video screen of Alicia Keys singing back to him. Feeling the sensual energy of the room, Maxwell moved from his perfectly pitched falsetto voice to teasing the audience with his almost baritone speaking voice saying “nobody is as hot as you Chicago…. and that Garrett’s popcorn.” The audience loved it. He was truly poetry in motion. 

From Get to know You to Bad Habits, Woman’s Worth, Fortunate and more, Maxwell lit the Ravinia Festival stage up for over 90 minutes with singing, dancing, and playful banter; all backed by an incredible band and perfect background singers. He said a sweet goodnight over what was already the beginning of chants by the entire audience for more. He left the stage, but quickly came back and obliged the hungry fans who weren’t quite ready to end this musical journey. As a screen with delicate white feathers lit up the night, Maxwell closed with Pretty Wings. 

If can't have you, let love set you free

To fly your pretty wings around

Pretty wings, your pretty wings

Your pretty wings, your pretty wings around

“I love you Chicago.”

And we love him too.