Shaffer Chimere ‘Ne-Yo’ Smith is a class act. It’s all trilbys and waistcoat chains and man scarves. There will be no rough housing, swearing or disrespecting of bitches in The O2 tonight. The R ‘n’ B mastermind has clearly been educated in the Luther Vandross school of performing. Fair play to him!
The stage is as classy as his attire. There is little in the way of bling – just a modest horizontal screen, over which peeks an eight-piece band. Against pulsating visuals, four lycra-clad fly girls (and two smartly-attired fly boys) shimmy around Ne-Yo whilst always maintaining a respectful distance.
But just when you think the ego is in check, our smooth operator says: “All my ladies here tonight, I’ma tell you what I want you to do. I want y’all to look me in the eyes and tell me exactly what you want to do to me.”
Alright, Ne-Yo, baby, if you insist. I’d very much like to sit you down and find out who your tailor is.
Aside from an excruciating interlude with protegee Jadyn Maria (who manages to be totally pants without wearing any), this is a pretty solid show. The 30-year-old takes on Beyoncé’s ‘Irreplaceable’, Rihanna’s ‘Take A Bow’ and Jennifer Hudson’s ‘Spotlight’, all of which he penned, with unwaveringly perfect vocals.
More Usher than Chris Brown, Ne-Yo is an R’n’B act with serious style and serious vocal ability – it’s just a pity that the pleasant surprises are outnumbered by sappy filler, as exemplified by his dreary superhit ‘Sexy Love’ and a Calypso-tinged ‘So Sick’. Still, we didn’t see his abs once and for that we should be truly thankful.