Nile Rodgers Saves The Day

Nile Rodgers Saves The Day

The disappointing news of D’Angelo canceling was still looming over everyone on Friday, and somehow the last-minute replacement of Nile Rodgers and the rest of Chic managed to not just fill the slot, but put on one of the best shows of the festival. They turned the entire Sutro stage into a massive dance party as Rodgers went through a medley of the countless songs he helped turn into number one hits. Opening with Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out,” and moving on to “We Are Family,” “Freak Out,” “Good Times,” and most notably Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” it made Rodgers’ opening line “if you’re here you have to sing, and you have to dance” less a rule and more of a prediction.

Never for a moment, however, did the performance feel like a novelty; in fact the set carried a real significance to it. George Duke, another funk musician worshipped by Daft Punk, died this week and just two weeks ago Rodgers was given the news that after several years, he was cancer free. After the set ended “Get Lucky” came on the PA, but Rodgers hung out for the entire 6+ minutes with his band, waving and thanking people, and singing just a bit to himself while the audience shouted along.  During a festival where people usually rush to get to the next show we all just stuck around and listened to the exit music, audience and band, simply soaking in the greatness of the moment.