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By: Janel Spiegel
Musikfest 2023 – 40th Anniversary
Keith Sweat & Monica
With special guest
Maxamilly
August 8, 2023
Wind Creek Steel Stage
711 E. First Street
Bethlehem, PA
The sun was shining today, thanks to Mother Nature, and the music gods out in force. The LEGENDARY Keith Sweat with hit after hit…. Song after song appeared at Musikfest right in time for the 40th Anniversary of Musikfest. I ran into a few friends; I visited the Media Center and met the wonderful Jennifer LoConte along with Amber. They had a team working hard to keep everything running smoothly as always. They are doing a great job. It’s certainly appreciated. After visiting the Media Center, I headed out into the crowd of people wandering around searching for food, stuff to do, and those of us with tickets to see Keith Sweat, and Monica.
It was a beautiful day, Bethlehem felt vibrant. I wandered around a bit and ran into a friend and an AMAZINGLY talented photographer, Brian Mitchell. He was working with the Roving Photography. I also stopped at Island Noodles and that was my breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Island Noodles are always good. I talked to more people, ran into a few more friends, and then it was time to head in, and find my seat. I walked into to Maxamilly just beaming, and playing his whole soul out to the universe. The sun was still shining. I have a feeling Mother Nature was truly loving the music.
Maxamilly played a variety of songs including: “Dr. Funkmaster,” “Dialect/I Ain’t from Around Here.” If you listen to the lyrics, the songs are powerful. Maxamilly played with thecosmicsoul_collective – The Cosmic Soul Collective, and Bekah Elaine who SANG, she SANG from the soul.
They did such a beautiful job. They acknowledged the crowd, they had fun. They brought the positive energy we needed. It was a long day for some of us, and. Music and concerts are healing. Music is healing. I don’t always think people understand how healing it is. I sat next to a gentleman who was quiet and he briefly spoke up but as soon as Keith Sweat stepped onto the stage, this man just started singing his heart out. He was waiting for today just like the rest of us. Sitting and enjoying the music, the crowd, the ambiance of it all.
Maxamilly, and The Cosmic Soul Collective introduced Monica and Keith Sweat. It’s always fascinating all these years watching how fast tour crews can break a stage down for a band, an artist, whatever it may be, they did it in record timing.
Monica came out, and looked gorgeous, she had the crowd going before she even came out. Everyone was on their feet. The anticipation, and some people watching the skies for storms but it was clear. Monica started performing at the age of ten and was part of a gospel choir. Monica had people in tears, she asked everyone to hold their cell phone lights up in honor of the late great, one and only “Whitney Elizabeth Houston” (Monica’s words). She said she felt encouraged by Whitney Houston, and sang an absolutely HEARTBREAKING and loving version of “For You I Will” from the Space Jam soundtrack, “I would cross the ocean for you, I will go and bring you the moon.” Now, imagine an entire venue of people singing right along with her. People of all ages, from all walks of life.
I always say music is universal. A song can make you remember someone you, a time you were happy, a time you fell in love, broke up. It takes you places. It takes you on a journey. Some people might just like to listen to music but you can tell. You can tell when people disappear into a song. The couples hugging each other a little tighter, and friends holding each other up while laughing and singing. Monica sang, “Angel of Mine,” and I think my section did great. We were all singing. Monica’s introduction was beautiful too. She put her soul into her work.
Monica engaged with the audience, and had everyone singing along. She thanked everyone, and it was time…. It was TIME. Time for Keith Sweat. Keith Sweat had his iconic entrance, and it was over for the crowd. Everyone was ready, and on their feet. Let’s not forget Keith Sweat has co-written, written, and produced his own music and for other artists. Keith Sweat also was part of the supergroup, LSG which included the ICON Gerald Levert, Keith Sweat paid tribute to Gerald Levert, and dedicated the songs to him. That group also included Johnny Gill, and Eddie Levert. Keith Sweat performed one of their hit songs, “My Body,” it took the audience back. (Someone is getting pregnant tonight.)
Keith Sweat was funny, he gave roses to a couple who were celebrating sixty-two years together. Congratulations to them. Keith Sweat performed “I Want Her,” “Merry Go Round,” which is just a beautiful song. He took some time to make sure his ear pieces were good; he did a wardrobe change. Keith Sweat performed “Twisted” and it WAS OVER. It’s one of the best songs. Keith Sweat has so many songs, and so many classics. But to hear “Twisted” and have an entire audience singing the whole song without this man saying a word, that’s the power of music. That’s what music is.
He performed “Get Up On It (Featuring Kut Klose). Keith Sweat left the video play with Kut Klose, it was a classic moment from 1994. Keith Sweat performed “Make It Last Forever” from 1987. The audience sang this entire song too, shouting out the “Joy that’s what I feel when I’m with you.” Here’s a fun fact, Mariah Carey sampled this for a remix, “Thank God I Found You” (Make It Last Remix) featuring Joe and Nas, “You taste like banana cake, you shaped like the number eight.” It’s a great remix. This was released in 1999 from her Rainbow album.
I loved this concert, Keith Sweat was funny, he kept it real. He talked to the crowd. He sang, he talked about today’s music, and he is right. We will never have the beautiful classic R&B, soul, Hip-Hop that just flowed beautifully. It was all Keith Sweat, and his music. Keith Sweat also took everyone back in the day again with “How Deep Is Your Love.” It was soulful, and everyone was so into the music, I forgot sometimes at concerts, I’m used to watching shows through other people’s cell phones. The phones came out for the classics, and for songs you could tell that people just love.
And THEN, THEN…. He took it home, and sang, “Nobody” and I wanted to melt. A slight breeze started, and I think Mother Nature said, it’s going to get hot in here. This concert was perfection. Keith Sweat and Monica are LEGENDS, absolute LEGENDS. Thank you Musikfest, the Bethlehem Police Department, security, and the awesome Musikfest staff for keeping everyone safe, and keeping everything running smoothly. Now, keep on playing, “on, on, on, and on, and on because NOBODY can do it like Keith Sweat.
MUSIKFEST IS FROM AUGUST 3RD TO AUGUST 13TH, 2023.
https://www.instagram.com/keithsweat/
https://www.sweatfestpuntacana.com/
@bekah.elaine on Instagram
@millymusic10 on Instagram
@fig_likethe_newton52 on Instagram
@le_musician on Instagram
Go follow and check out these incredible musicians, and singers.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkwskwCNsx-jWZEOBSu-8Tw
