A Sade Concert is an Experience of a Lifetime

I love music concerts. There is nothing that compares to seeing your favorite singer perform live. One of the best performers I’ve ever seen is Sade.

If you’ve never heard the music of Sade, well, you should. The band’s lead vocalist is Sade Adu, born Helen Folasade Adu. She is a Nigerian-born British singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer of the Grammy Award-winning English group Sade. I truly became a fan back in 2002 when I purchased their then-just-released Lovers Live album. That album became a fixture in my stereo, as has every other album of theirs. Listening to Sade is like looking through a prism—each song presents a slightly different view, offering a fresh perspective. Their music delivers an authentic message about life—sometimes easy, sometimes hard—always sensual without being salacious, serene without being weak.

Since releasing Lovers Live, Sade had been on a ten-year hiatus. The band hadn’t toured or produced a new album since Soldier of Love, which was released in December 2009. During those “gap” years, I promised myself that if I ever had the opportunity to see Sade perform live, I would make sure I was in the audience. So, when they announced their Soldier of Love tour, with a stop in San Jose on August 25, 2011, I didn’t waste time contemplating ticket prices or concert venues—I simply made sure I had my tickets.

A Concert to Remember

It’s hard to say what I loved most about the concert. Sade was mesmerizing, both in voice and energy. The band was flawless. Even the sound quality was impressive—no small feat, considering the venue was the HP Pavilion, a massive glass-walled arena that serves as the home of our local hockey team. At times, I could close my eyes and imagine I was listening to Sade in my living room—only with the volume cranked way up.

Every detail of the performance was thoughtfully executed. The stage design was visually engaging yet never overwhelming. The production team used video projections, lighting, multi-level stage configurations, and fabric draping to create an experience greater than the sum of its parts. The attention to detail was remarkable, allowing the audience to fully immerse themselves in the show.

The Oakland Tribune summed it up best in their review of the concert:

Not many vocalists can get away with providing so little physical activity at the arena level. Then again, few can claim a voice equal to Sade’s. And arguably no other artist comes close in terms of creating and sustaining such a gloriously mellow and warm vibe onstage.

More Than Just Sade—The Band’s Magic

What I didn’t fully realize before attending the concert was that Sade’s brilliance isn’t just about Sade Adu—it’s about the entire band. Each member contributes in equal measure, creating something truly special. Between lyrics, their instrumentation is first-rate, standing out even among contemporary ensembles.

It’s not just Sade—it’s the band, too.

There’s a genuine camaraderie and mutual respect among the performers that is rare to see. Notice I didn’t say “musicians,” but rather performers. This distinction became clear when Sade herself stepped away from the mic, sharing the spotlight with her bandmates. And honestly, I found that incredibly classy.

One particular moment during the concert stood out to me. Sade was singing alongside two of her bandmates when she began to step backward, not realizing there was a slight rise in the stage. She lost her balance and stumbled. Without hesitation, her bandmates instinctively reached out to catch her. Had they not, she might have fallen. Without missing a beat or losing her composure, she laughed at herself, flashed them a grateful smile, and continued performing as if nothing had happened. It was a silent acknowledgment—Thanks, guys. I couldn’t do this without you.

Me with my concert ticket at the Sade concert.

More Than Just a Performance

As Andrew and I walked back to our car after the concert, I told him that I had come to the show as a fan of Sade’s music—but I left as a fan of the band itself. They not only met my expectations, but they exceeded them.

You know the concert lie, right? The one every performer tells an audience at some point on a 50-city tour—that youwere the best audience, that this night was unforgettable, and that they’ll never forget this city. I knew that the next night, Sade would be saying the same thing to the audience in Oakland. And yet, somehow, I couldn’t help but believe that when she said it to us in San Jose, she meant it.

I’ll close with a message written in the concert program, a message that encapsulates why Sade and their music resonate so deeply with fans::

It's theorized that each sound we make will reverberate infinitely throughout the universe. As you are the portal to our songs your hearts will be the first to recognize what resonates from ours. You'll understand that we're not crazy or lazy... ten years it took us to get back here. You'll understand that we strive to be brilliant and struggle to be good, that we are real because we are imperfect, but you will always be our purpose. We remain ever grateful for your constancy and your applause which will resound in our hearts as long as we live. — Sade