Digable Planets opened. This concert was flat-out sublime. Ish is from Seattle, but hadn't been back home as a performer since forming the group, so there were LOTS of family, former classmates (like myself), and other 206 well wishers there to support. "Cool Like Dat" was still super hot, and they brought a live upright bassist to perform it with them.
The interim between DP and Sade was fairly long (Sade didn't take the stage until sunset), but there were joints being passed around everywhere, the PA system was incredible, with a tape playing joints like the live version of "Summer Madness" and The Isley Brothers version of "Summer Breeze"
If you've never been to the Gorge Amphitheatre, it is truly one of the very best outdoor music venues in the United States, right up there with Red Rocks in Colorado. It's located in the tiny town of George, Washington, about two hours east of Seattle. As its name suggests, it sits up on a ridge with a commanding view of the Columbia River Gorge, and by the time Sade took the stage at sunset, everyone was primed. Just the perfect backdrop.
Sade took one look at that view and exclaimed to the audience that there was no way they could compete with it, but they would try their best. They were amazing. She looked a goddess up on that stage, all lit up in purple and blue and green. The band were consummate professionals, each one a master on his instrument. The whole vibe of the day and evening was just CHILLED, and not just because of what was being passed around. Easily in the top three greatest live shows I have ever attended.