R&B Icon Maxwell graced the stage last weekend giving Detroit a special two night performance. After his ‘Serenade’ tour in 2024 made a stop at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, the 13-time nominated and 3-time Grammy award winner returned for two intimate shows at the 5,000 seat Aretha Franklin Amphitheater on the city’s riverfront.
Before Maxwell took the stage, the audience was treated to the vocals of former Floetry member Marsha Ambrosius. The English singer and songwriter, wearing black pumps and dressed in a black leather shorts jumper with a dazzling yellow fur shawl around her shoulders, opened the night just after 8:00pm and performed for about an hour. Her fourteen song set included “Butterflies”, which she co-wrote and worked with Michael Jackson on, as well as “Say Yes”, one of the songs she is most known for. She closed her set with “Cheats On You” and thanked the hospitality of Detroit for always welcoming her back and showing her love.
During an approximate 30 minute intermission on Friday night, 105.9 KISS-FM personalities Tune-Up Man and Angie Starr kept the crowd engaged as one of the station’s DJ’s played hits from every era to get the audience of multiple generations out of their seats and dancing. Before the hosts left the stage, they brought out Shahida Mausi, President and CEO of The Right Productions, who manages the venue and is responsible for all the shows there. Mausi also gave thanks to the crowd, as well as Mayor Mike Duggan, for continuous support to make the venue and shows a success. She also recognized and brought out City Council President Mary Sheffield, who is running for Mayor of the City to greet the crowd.
Shortly thereafter, the lights went down and the band started playing, preparing the almost full house for the headliner. Maxwell then came out from behind the middle of the band, appearing from a cloud of fog and smoke, and walked to the mic stand at center stage. The Musical Legend wore an all black loose fitting suit with black shades and black shoes that shined meticulously. The crowd was ecstatic, singing word for word, many of Maxwell’s hits from “Sumthin Sumthin” to “Bad Habits” to “Fortunate and “Asension”. His almost twenty song set was soothing and energetic at the same time.
Maxwell thanked the audience and the city, closing out his eighty minute set with “Pretty Wings”, a song that he released in 2009 that has always been a fan favorite. Without any doubt, music lovers at The Aretha enjoyed the performance on the beautiful 70 degree night, with their only wish being that it could have gone on longer.
By: Aaron J. Thornton
