Love Rules: John Legend plays an empowering set at BB&T Pavilion

John Legend | photo by Doug Interrante for WXPN

In 1995, John Stephens — aka John Legend — stepped onto the campus at the University of Pennsylvania as a senior in high school. Now, 22 years later, he brings to the Philadelphia region the gift of music therapy. With his soulful and soothing voice, his wise and calm manner of speaking to his audience, his graceful and easy stage presence, and his thoughtful and emotional songs, he delivered an uplifting and memorable show at BB&T Pavilion Monday night that elevated the live experience to new heights.

John Legend and his 11-piece band gave fans a healthy dose of selections from his 2017 album Darkness and Light, including “Penthouse Floor,” “Overload,” “Surefire,” “Love Me Now,” “What You Do to Me” and “Right by You” — the latter of which was written for his daughter, Luna. The album’s title track, which features Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard, was a fan favorite with booming vocals from three backup singers.

Legend didn’t stint on past fan favorites either. Going back to 2004’s “Used to Love U” and moving forward through “Ordinary People,” “Save the Night,” “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” “Save Room,” “Green Light” and “Who Do We Think We Are,” a sweat-soaked Legend elicited rousing sing-alongs, deafening applause and shout-outs of “I love you” throughout the whole evening.

Not only did Legend leave his audience entertained, but he also bestowed upon them a sense of empowerment to create a better future. John’s message that love rules is one that I surely try to echo and it’s nice to hear a cultural influencer speak to that with such authenticity.

Setlist
I Know Better
Penthouse Floor
Tonight (Best You Ever Had)
Love Me Now
Made to Love
Darkness and Light
Overload
What You Do to Me
Used to Love U
Save the Night
Like I’m Gonna Lose You (Meghan Trainor cover)
Save Room
Slow Dance
Superfly (Curtis Mayfield cover)
Wake Up Everybody (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
Ordinary People
Right by You (For Luna)
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys cover)
Surefire
Green Light
Who Do We Think We Are?
You & I (Nobody in the World)
So High

Encore:
All of Me
Glory