Anthony Hamilton’s Back To Love Tour was slated to hit Playhouse Square in Cleveland on Saturday, September 29th. To the dismay of many Clevelanders, this performance was one of the handful that got axed from the tour early last week. But with Cleveland’s own Antoine Dunn opening for the tour, the short drive to Detroit for the performance on the 28th was very reasonable for any dedicated fan.
Friday night’s engagement at the Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan was kicked off by the smooth and soulful voice of Cleveland’s Antoine Dunn. This young artist seems to have the soul and wisdom of a man twice his age, and it comes through with every note he sings. Dunn’s set began as the venue was still filling with people, and anybody who chose to arrive “fashionably” late missed a definitive highlight of the evening. The only thing lacking from Antoine’s performance was time—more time for the audience to be wowed by this incredible newcomer who instantly drew the audience into his musical web.
Next, Estelle took to the stage, exploding the energy of the venue into high speed with her well-known hit, “American Boy.” With her two powerhouse background singers flanking her on either side, Estelle continued through her forty-five minute set never letting up on the powerful spirit she sent flowing into audience. She delivered each song with strength and grace, and the audience fed her energy right back to her.
After a short intermission, the lights in the theater once again dimmed and the electricity streaming through the eager audience was palpable. As the band began to play, the crowd grew feverish, exploding with enthusiasm as Anthony Hamilton emerged on the stage. As usual, Anthony delivered his heart and soul to the audience from the first note out of his mouth to the last words he spoke. His smooth, velvety tone washed over the audience and delivered them into the world of his songs. He poured every ounce of his being into his performance, leaving his audience wanting nothing. His pure enjoyment of his time on stage was evident in the truth of his smile and the spark of his eyes—of course, this also left the girls in the front rows swooning and swaying under his spell throughout the entire evening.
Cleveland missed out this time on an opportunity to bear witness to an incredible performer who knows what it means to please an audience. Hopefully nobody had plans to use Anthony Hamilton’s Back To Love Tour to profess their love the way one gentleman did at the end of the performance in Detroit. It is a testament to Anthony’s character that he allowed the end of his performance to become the platform for one man’s proposal to his, now, future wife. Next time the opportunity arrives, Clevelanders better get motivated to show their appreciation and desire for the likes of Anthony Hamilton before the night of the show. A lesson learned here in Cleveland: buy tickets early and let artists know we want them—otherwise another drive to Michigan might become necessary!
See more Photos from the Back to Love Tour at Detroit's Fox Theatre here.
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