After waiting more than 45 years to finally see Earth, Wind & Fire live, I walked into Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena on August 3 with decades of expectations. By the time the legendary band finished its set, one thing was clear: they were worth every single year of the wait.
Opening for the equally legendary Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire could easily have headlined the arena on their own. From the opening notes of “Shining Star,” the group turned Climate Pledge into one enormous celebration of funk, soul, R&B and disco.
And let’s get something straight: funk doesn’t wrinkle—it grooves.
At the center of it all were three longtime original members: Philip Bailey, Verdine White and Ralph Johnson. Seeing them still commanding an arena after more than five decades was something special, but particular recognition has to go to Bailey. At 75 years young, he was still reaching for those famous falsetto notes that have defined so much of the Earth, Wind & Fire sound.
Meanwhile, some of us make strange noises getting off the couch.
Bailey’s voice soared throughout the evening, especially during “Reasons,” one of those songs that instantly reminds you why certain vocalists become legends. His unmistakable falsetto remains capable of creating goosebumps, and hearing it live after knowing that voice for most of my life was one of the evening’s highlights.
The set moved through an astonishing catalog that included “Let Your Feelings Show,” “System of Survival,” “Serpentine Fire” and “Sing a Song.” Their joyous cover of The Beatles’ “Got to Get You Into My Life” showcased those glorious horns, while “After the Love Has Gone” and “That’s the Way of the World” slowed things down enough to remind us that Earth, Wind & Fire has always been about much more than dance-floor anthems.
Their music combines funk, jazz, R&B, soul, pop and disco in a way that still sounds remarkably fresh. Hearing those arrangements live also reinforces just how musically sophisticated these songs have always been.
Then came “Fantasy.”
At that point, sitting quietly was no longer an option.
“Boogie Wonderland” transformed the arena into one enormous disco, with thousands of people dancing like nobody was watching—and, considering the average age of some of us in the audience, hopefully nobody was filming either.
What made the evening especially memorable was seeing just how many generations have embraced this music. Some of us remember when these songs were actually on the radio for the first time. Others weren’t even born when “September” became a hit. Yet everyone seemed to know the words.
That is the difference between having hit records and creating timeless music.
Verdine White remains one of the great showmen of funk, bringing enormous personality and energy to the stage while anchoring that unmistakable groove on bass. Ralph Johnson, meanwhile, continues to provide the rhythmic foundation behind the Earth, Wind & Fire sound. Together with Bailey and the current lineup of musicians, they have preserved the spirit of the band without making the performance feel like a museum exhibit.
This was a living, breathing funk machine.
The final stretch delivered exactly what everyone wanted.
“Let’s Groove” did precisely what its title suggested, although by then the audience didn’t need much encouragement. And then came those opening notes everyone had been waiting for.
“September.”
Do you remember the 21st night of September?
Of course I do.
Was it August 3?
Yes.
Did anybody care?
Absolutely not.
Climate Pledge Arena erupted as thousands sang along to one of the most recognizable songs of the past half-century. For those few minutes, it didn’t matter what month it was. We were all celebrating the 21st night of September.
For me, the concert carried another layer of meaning. I had waited more than four decades for this moment. There are artists you enjoy, and then there are artists whose songs become part of the soundtrack of your life. Earth, Wind & Fire belongs firmly in the latter category.
The biggest surprise was realizing that after waiting so long, I hadn’t waited too long.
The musicianship was still there. The energy was still there. Bailey’s falsetto was still there. Those horns were definitely still there.
And most importantly, the joy was still there.
Earth, Wind & Fire didn’t simply warm up the crowd for Lionel Richie. They turned Climate Pledge Arena into one giant funk-filled family reunion and reminded Seattle why their music has survived for generations.
After 45 years, I can finally cross Earth, Wind & Fire off my concert bucket list.
And yes, it was worth every single funkin’ minute.
