Soul Icon Maxwell Dazzles Philly with His Velvet Voice at Wells Fargo Center

September 24th, 2024 – Singer/songwriter Maxwell brought his sexy appeal and swagger to a packed Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia Tuesday as part of his Serenade Tour. The crowd—largely made up of “beautiful” ladies especially dolled up for the occasion—knew every song from his 28-year career, which includes five albums, three Grammy Awards, and 13 Grammy nominations.

Photos + Article by Steve Cerf

Maxwell quickly became the crème de la crème of the neo-soul movement. Neo-soul, a genre of R&B infused with elements of hip-hop and funk, was defined by his debut album, Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, which is widely considered the gold standard of the neo-soul sound.

Rising from a stage in the center of the floor seating, Maxwell opened with Al Green’s classic “Simply Beautiful,” adding his own emotional twist before launching into the smooth and groovy “Get to Know Ya,” followed by the dreamy and airy “Lake by the Ocean” from his 2016 album BLACKsummers’night. As the stage descended into smoke and darkness, he reappeared in full spotlight at center stage, pulling out all his dance moves during “Sumthin’ Sumthin’.”

Throughout the 18-song set, the shrieks and screams from his overwhelmingly female audience didn’t miss a beat.

Flexing his vocal prowess, Maxwell showcased his velvety falsetto and dynamic stage presence. Based on the shout-outs and catcalls from his fans, it was as if a beacon of light from the heavens shone upon him.

True to form, Maxwell delivered a fantastic show. His ability to connect with the audience through his empowering, sexy love songs kept fans on their feet all night, swooning and grooving to the catalog that has cemented his status as a living legend in the R&B world.

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