LIVE REVIEW: Nile Rogers & CHIC at Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London

Not only is the Old Royal Naval College over 330 years old with beautiful grounds idyllic for a summer festival, but it is also a cultural destination in the heart of the Maritime Greenwich UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The much younger Greenwich Summer Sounds festival kicked off with Nile Rogers & CHIC with support from British DJ and radio presenter MistaJam. Whilst MistaJam was deft with the decks and full of enthusiasm, his good vibes had to contend with a constant aggressive heavy downpour of rain that distracted the crowd. Ponchos and waterproofs could not see off the worst of the rain.

When Nile Rogers & CHIC did address the stage, whether it was because the rain had briefly stopped, which Rogers took credit for, or his many writing and producing accolades, Greenwich was pleased to see Nile and the band. Just minutes previously, the disgruntled seated audience reluctantly put down their umbrellas at the request of security. The visibly crimson bitterness melted away as Nile Rogers & CHIC opened with “Le Freak”. “Everybody Dance” followed. Partly to see off the cold with the rain re-starting, most of the crowd, who had not already left the event, rose to their feet to dance. “I Want Your Love” followed with impressive funk guitar and trumpet solos.

Nile Rogers & CHIC continued to play many hits that Nile Rogers had produced for other artists. Audrey Martel’s vocals impressed as she sang Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out”. The band played Duran Duran’s “Notorious”. The Madonna back catalogue of “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl” saw the crowd try to imitate Madonna’s original choreography. Elation soared with David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” and Modern Love”.

Nile Rogers proved he was more than a vessel for seventies and eighties halcyon retrospectives with “Get Lucky”, which he wrote in collaboration with Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams. Even more impressive was his rendition of Beyoncé’s 2022 “CUFF IT”, which Rogers co-wrote. With Roger’s input, “CUFF IT” won Best R&B Song at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

With the Old Naval College being an ample open space far exceeding the size of the Royal Festival Hall that the band played in 2019 for the Meltdown Festival, it was impossible to be as intimate with the audience and recall stories of growing up knowing Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis. In all fairness, the audience wanted music spanning several decades, not tales. They did not want non-stop pelting rain that sullied the mood, resulting in several empty seats and many people leaving early. Nonetheless, Nile Rogers & CHIC maintained their professionalism throughout and delighted those who could withstand the rain. A hard rain fell, but Nile Rogers & CHIC did not.