By Okon Ekpenyong, Photos by Schottenstein Center

It was a full Last night at Schottenstein Center, home of Ohio State University Men’s and Women’s Basketball Arena; it felt like a warm September night in Columbus, Ohio; music legends Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire took the stage, bringing together fans of all ages for a night of non-stop hits and high-energy performances. 

From the moment Earth, Wind & Fire kicked off the concert with their signature funk sound, the crowd was on their feet, dancing and singing along to classics like “Let’s Groove Tonight” and “September.” “It was a Spectacular show; they did not disappoint, and it was just Such a great time,” a fan said.

But the party was starting, as Lionel Richie took the stage next and immediately had the audience in his hand. Opening with his iconic ballad “Hello,” Richie’s smooth vocals and charismatic stage presence had everyone swooning and swaying along. From there, he flawlessly weaved in hits from his days as the lead singer of the Commodores, like “Easy” and “Still,” bringing a wave of nostalgia and sing-alongs from the crowd.

But it wasn’t just the music that kept the audience captivated. Richie’s playful banter and jokes between songs had everyone laughing and feeling like they were at a personal concert with an old friend. And when he launched into his mega-hit “Brick House,” the energy in the arena was through the roof, with fans singing and dancing along to every word.

“I had a great time with my family last night at the Earth, Wind & Fire & Lionel Richie concert. My family has seen Earth Wind & Fire a lot together, but only I had seen Lionel Richie before, so it was great to get to experience the combination all together. A great night with great music!” Sarah of Ingles said. 

The concert contains a perfect mix of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Lionel Richie’s hits, creating a seamless and unforgettable night of music. From “Stuck on You” to “Sail” to “Three Times a Lady,” each song brought a new wave of excitement and joy to the audience, who were thrilled to be experiencing these iconic artists live.

Lionel Richie thanked the crowd for their support over the years as the concert ended, acknowledging his incredible 47-year career in the music industry. But before saying goodbye, he left the audience with one final gift – an epic performance of “All Night Long,” with Earth, Wind & Fire joining him on stage for a grand finale with everyone on their feet, dancing and singing along.

Throughout the night, it was like watching a scene from a romantic comedy but in real life. Seeing parents and their grown children dancing together, completely unaware of the song’s significance in their existence, was heartwarming and hilarious. It made me wonder how many of those children resulted from their parents dancing and getting down to the smooth tunes of Earth, Wind, and Fire or Lionel Richie. But in that moment, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was the joy and love that filled the Schottenstein Center, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the thought of it all.

Ultimately, it was clear that the combination of these two musical powerhouses was a match made in heaven. The energy, the talent, and the pure joy of the music brought together a diverse crowd, all united in their love for Lionel Richie and Earth, Wind & Fire. It was a concert to remember and will surely go down in Columbus’s history as one of the most unforgettable music nights.

“Lionel Richie brought the party to Columbus All Night Long,” and Earth, Wind & Fire turned The Schott into a Buckeye Wonderland tonight,” said Schottenstein Center. 

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