Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder took to the stage at London’s O2 Arena on November 5, 2026 for the second time, bringing his iconic 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life to life for its 50th anniversary tour. Supported by a massive 25-piece band, the 76-year-old legend delivered an expansive, multi-set evening celebrating one of pop music's defining double LPs.

Before anyone caught sight of him, Stevie’s voice echoed through the dark arena, gently asking the crowd to close their eyes and experience the world as he does through "the eyes of our ears." As the lights finally came up, he took his place behind his keyboards and synths, launching straight into "Love's in Need of Love Today." He brought his son Mandla Morris out for a warm duet on "Have a Talk With God," before the live string section launched into "Village Ghetto Land" weaving baroque-style chamber lines underneath Stevie's biting social commentary.

The room really caught fire when the instrumental groove of "Contusion" gave way to "Sir Duke," sending the entire crowd to their feet as the five-piece horn section delivered those punchy, bright brass lines. That momentum carried straight into the unmistakable bassline of "I Wish," before Stevie slowed things down with a soul-stirring rendition of "Knocks Me Off My Feet."

Between numbers, Stevie was as chattily endearing as ever. He kept the mood light, routinely slipping into his cheekily exaggerated Cockney accent that had the crowd laughing, riffing on the recent US election, and offering a bit of characteristic wisdom. He paused to reflect on global division, musing that while the physical universe operates in perfect natural alignment, humanity remains stubbornly out of sync, urging everyone in the room to choose unity.

The first half glided through the dark funk of "Pastime Paradise," the lush chord shifts of "Summer Soft," and the two-part drama of "Ordinary Pain." The band even snuck in cheeky instrumental teasers of the James Bond theme and Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" before wrapping the first set with "Saturn" and "Ebony Eyes."

After a quick breath, the second set kicked off with Stevie pulling out the chromatic harmonica for a joyful "Isn't She Lovely." The music flowed naturally through "Joy Inside My Tears," the driving history lesson of "Black Man," and gorgeous multilingual showcase "Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing."

Harpist Brandee Younger joined the stage to add a delicate layer to "If It's Magic." Introducing "As," Stevie shared that it was his late mother’s favourite song—and the one he sang at her funeral. The main set wrapped with an extended, celebratory "Another Star," complete with individual introductions for all 25 musicians on stage.

For the finale, Stevie’s daughter Zaiah Morris took lead vocals on a cover of John Lennon's "Imagine," as we rushed forward to the 11 o'clock curfew. Stevie then took back the reins to cap the night with a thunderous "Superstition," stretching out that iconic Clavinet riff and letting the horns jam on while he was eventually guided off stage to a massive standing ovation. It was another masterclass from a true shining star, leaving the London crowd walking out into the crisp November night feeling like Christmas had definitely come early.

Setlist
Set 1
Love's in Need of Love Today
Have a Talk With God (with son Mandla Morris)
Village Ghetto Land
Contusion
Sir Duke
I Wish
Knocks Me Off My Feet
Jam with James Bond theme and ‘Billie Jean’
Pastime Paradise
Summer Soft
Ordinary Pain
Saturn
Ebony Eyes

Set 2
Isn't She Lovely
Joy Inside My Tears
Black Man
All Day Sucker
Easy Goin' Evening (My Mama's Call)
Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing
If It's Magic (Brandee Younger on harp)
As
Another Star
Imagine (John Lennon cover sung by daughter Zaiah Morris)
Superstition