GRACE JONES Concert Review (Fox Theater)

“Amazing Grace”
Grace Jones Concert Review
Fox Theater, Oakland 9/22/22
Review by Jason Reed

The iconic Grace Jones took the stage on Friday at the Fox Theater in Oakland, California. Throughout the evening, she stunned the packed crowd of adoring fans with her vocal stylings, diverse and elaborate costume changes, fashion statements, humorous and seductive banter as well as expert hula hooping skills!

Musical highlights of the evening included her unique renditions of Iggy Pop’s “Nightclubbing,” and the Pretenders’ “Private Life,” as well as her classics “My Jamaican Guy,”  (later sampled in the 90’s in LL Cool J’s “Doin It”), “Pull Up To The Bumper” and her encore banger of “Slave to the Rhythm.” During “Pull Up To The Bumper” Grace immersed herself into the crowd, giving fans the once in a lifetime intimate opportunity to see and touch the musical legend firsthand. 

Still going strong and spry at the age of 74, Grace’s already cemented place in history as a trailblazer in music, fashion and pop culture cannot be overstated. She was ranked 82nd in VH1’s 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll list. She is a Q Idol Award recipient. She has been cited as a musical inspiration for Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Lorde and the Eurythmic’s Annie Lennox. She is widely regarded as being a huge influence in the LGBTQ and drag communities with her challenging of gender norms, androgyny and cross-dressing fashion statements. She is one of those rare artists who has expertly traversed the barriers between modeling, fashion, music and acting. 

The full setlist for the show was as follows: 

1.Nightclubbing
2.This Is
3.Walking In the Rain
4.Private Life
5.I’ve Seen That Face Before (Libertango)
6.Demolition Man
7.My Jamaican Guy
8.Love is the Drug
9.Williams’ Blood
10.Amazing Grace
11.Pull Up To The Bumper
12.Slave to the Rhythm (Encore)