There was a palpable buzz in the air as the sun dipped behind the Lancashire horizon on Thursday night. For the opening night of the 2025 TK Maxx Presents Lytham Festival, the picturesque seaside town welcomed a true musical titan: Stevie Wonder. The occasion marked the first stop on his long-awaited Love, Light & Song UK tour, and what unfolded was nothing short of a magical, spiritual experience.
Emerging in a dazzling, sun-drenched red suit to a ferocious roar of excitement, Stevie Wonder looked every bit the icon, albeit a little less mobile and more dependent on his kids who had an arm each. Before a single note was played, he addressed the crowd with a heartfelt plea for peace. “World leaders – all of them – have let us down,” he declared, his voice riddled with emotion. It was a sermon, not a speech, and it set the tone for what would be a night of soul, eternal love, and unfiltered joy.
He then launched into “Love’s in Need of Love Today,” his voice as pure and powerful as ever. Unlike many of his contemporaries – McCartney, Richie, and many others amongst the old guard – Wonder’s vocal remains miraculously untouched by time. Every top note and every signature warble landed with studio-perfect clarity. Truly astonishing considering his 75 years and ailing health. It was as if the records had come to life, especially since he was backed by an 18-piece band that oozed charisma and talent. They were, quite simply, the finest band I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness.
Wonder delivered a near two-and-a-half-hour set that spanned decades, genres, and emotional registers. The band – arguably the coolest ensemble to grace a UK stage – moved effortlessly from reggae to funk, jazz to pop, with Stevie at the helm like a benevolent conductor.
Festival favourites like “Master Blaster (Jammin’),” “Higher Ground,” “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours,” and “Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing” turned Lytham Green into a joyous dancefloor. The crowd – ranging from toddlers on shoulders to octogenarians in lawn chairs – swayed as one.
There were moments of reflection too. “Everybody Is a Star,” performed with Corinne Bailey Rae in tribute to the late Sly Stone, was heartfelt, though the duet lacked the spark of the evening’s other highs. More compelling was the debut of “Stranger on the Shore of Love,” with a backing vocalist stepping into the spotlight, and the revival of “I Can Only Be Me,” not performed live since 1987, now sung tenderly by Wonder’s son, Mandla Morris.
Even when Stevie briefly left the stage (allowing his band to cover Aretha Franklin’s “Until You Come Back to Me” and Rose Royce’s “I’m Going Down”) the energy never faltered. These interludes, while noticeable, felt like well-earned breathers in a marathon of musical brilliance for a man who has spent seven decades in the spotlight.
The night was peppered with moments of pure magic. “Isn’t She Lovely,” dedicated to “the mothers and daughters of the world,” including his own daughters in attendance, was a tender highlight. “If You Really Love Me” turned into a playful sing-off between the guys and girls, with Stevie conducting the crowd like a gospel choir. And “I Just Called to Say I Love You,” performed solo on piano, was intimate and spellbinding, until the band crept back in for a swelling, emotional finale.
The crowd was given the choice between “Do I Do” and “Superstition” to close the main set. Their answer was unanimous. “Superstition” exploded into an extended funk jam, complete with band introductions and a final burst of energy that left the audience breathless. Corinne Bailey Rae returned for a rousing cover of “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin),” bringing the night to a jubilant close.
This wasn’t just a concert – it was a cultural moment to cherish, especially for a place that has never seen the likes of this before. Stevie Wonder didn’t simply perform; he testified, reminding us that music can still be a force for joy, justice, and connection. Stevie Wonder still lives and breathes music.
In a little seaside town in the North of England, a hero was welcomed, and he gave everything in return.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ A triumphant, soul-stirring celebration from a master of the craft.
Photo Credit: Dave Nelson
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