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Nile Rodgers and Chic perform at Rochester Castle Concerts

09:10, 07 July 2023

Nile Rodgers in Rochester is probably the coolest thing to happen to the town in decades. Prince Charles getting married nearby is a close second.

And every time the 70 year old said 'Rochester’ it seemed too good to be true.

Nile Rogers Chic play at the Summer Castle Concerts. Picture: Tom Smith
Nile Rogers Chic play at the Summer Castle Concerts. Picture: Tom Smith

But it was true. And he was sensational.

As a nearly 30-year-old I confess to only being aware of the Grammy winner when he joined forces with Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams for Get Lucky in 2013.

And you'd (hopefully) forgive me for fearing I'd only know that and Freak Out and be quietly dancing the rest of the evening sipping on my overpriced wine being pleased not to have work the next day.

But last night's performance opened my eyes to his incredible work as he performed songs he helped produce and write over the decades. From Diana Ross I'm Coming Up to Cuff It from Beyonce's latest album Renaissance (not so popular among the crowd as David Bowie moment earlier but I was a big fan).

It was a real mix of dance music that got the crowd excited and dancing the night a way in the most beautiful of settings.

Kimberly Davis wowed crowds with her voice Picture: Tom Smith
Kimberly Davis wowed crowds with her voice Picture: Tom Smith

It was an assortment of classics from across the decades sang by the stunning Kimberly Davis and Audrey Martells. They were so soulful.

Nile Rodgers chatted briefly between songs about his achievements, from anecdotes about Madonna to mentions of his Grammy nominations. A personal favourite was about being given the Lifetime Achievement Award five years ago to which he said, "But I'm not finished yet?!"

This wasn't a man showing off about his success. You can tell these were songs and accolades he was proud of. He wasn't jaded by his long and illustrious career but clearly proud and not above performing to a 4,000 strong crowd in a castle in Kent on a Thursday night.

What couldn't cope with the numbers was the bar.

The sun was bright in the sky when I entered the queue while Incognito performed. An hour and 10 minutes later and the sun had set and the warm up acts had finished.

They did everything from David Bowie to Beyonce. Picture: Tom Smith
They did everything from David Bowie to Beyonce. Picture: Tom Smith

We weren't alone in our thirst. There were angry people all around who sarcastically cheered when people went past with two pints and again when they finally got their hands on the silver bar.

The general consensus wasn't anger at the staff, they were doing all they can, but many hands make light work. And there weren't many hands and a lot of jager bombs to make.

Everyone's plan to fill up before Nile came on backfired and left us packed in like cattle so as not to miss getting funky with him.

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