As the screen onstage launched into a video of John Legend in a boxing ring, the neo-soul singer entered the Bryce Jordan Center Thursday night from behind the audience.
In sunglasses and a shiny leather jacket, he was greeted by a flock of surprised fans who clamored to him for a chance at physical contact. But not everyone was lucky.
"I was mad because I had a floor seat," Beautify Dempsey (junior-nursing) said. "I wanted to touch him, too."
Continuing his Evolver world tour, Legend played to a crowd of about 2,000 people and expanded on his reputation from an expressive piano man to a broad entertainer with various dance moves.
He also demonstrated his ability as a gentleman. While singing "Slow Dance," he called up a girl from the front row to come up onstage and engage in an intimate groove, in which he got down on his knees and removed his jacket. When the song ended, he handed her a rose that had been resting on his piano.
Allie Dolinsky (sophomore-elementary education) said some of her favorite songs of his are "Save Room," and Legend's first hit "Ordinary People."
Both were performed, but "Ordinary People" was included in the evening's encore.
"He has a very soothing voice compared to other artists of our generations," Dolinsky said. "He's like our modern day representation of soul."
The audience was getting warmed up as soon as they settled into their seats. Early on in the show, the opening act Raphael Saadiq walked into the crowd twice and danced while being supported by an elaborate instrumental set-up.
He emitted a gyrating burst of energy and youthful voice, as well as a blast from the past to the classic soul sound of his song "Keep Marching".
"He was fantastic," Dolinsky said. "I felt like I was back in the 1950s."
But the show wasn't merely enjoyed by the college population. Amy Hile, an athletic trainer for the Penn State Lady Lions, said she is a huge fan and was able to touch Legend's hand when he passed her seat.
"He's just so smooth," Legend. "It's such a good escape from a lot of the Top 40 junk."
