I never ever thought I’d be able to say that I’d see the legendary Gladys Knight live in concert. In late June, Gladys Knight played a show at National Harbor’s MGM Theater in Oxon Hill, MD.
Known as the “Empress of Soul,” Gladys Knight has earned seven Grammys, a National Medal of Arts, and Kennedy Center Honors as well as inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Grammy Hall of Fame.
One thing I’ve noticed while attending these shows by musical legends (Smokey Robinson was in May) is that the audience is of a different calibur than the other types of concerts I typically attend—they are dressed to the nines, and, my favorite thing, they are very vocal in yelling out to let the artists know their opinions and feelings; and the artists totally welcome it and interact with their fans in return. It’s so entertaining, and it really humanizes the artist onstage.
Gladys was definitely involved with her audience, teasing them at times. At one point, she had the house lights turned up and greeted everyone with, “Heyyyy!” The crowd answered right back, but wasn’t loud enough for Ms. Knight. She smirked and said, “It’s going to be nice when you get into it right.” The fans hooted in laughter and shouted their support.
In the middle of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” she stopped to say, “Y’all are making me tired,” laughed, and then said, “I love messing with y’all!”
Later on in her set, after singing “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye),” Gladys said “I’ve got a full heart right now, thanks to you.” She continued on, sharing how she was blessed in her life with her husband, children, family, and friends, and the audience that has supported her throughout the years in her career. Someone in the audience yelled, “Preach!” which elicited a chuckle, but she leaned into it. She said “It’s really something…I’m just telling all y’all about my business!”
Besides Gladys, her musicians and three back-up singers were stellar as well. The vocalists showed their talents in a medley of “The Way We Were” and “Try to Remember,” followed by “Take Me to the King.”
If you ever get a chance, go out to see this talented legend perform!
Words & Photos: Deanna Escobar