Some concerts make you dance. Others make you feel. Nile Rodgers & CHIC at Blossom Music Center in September 2023 did both — and then some. For two hours on a perfect late-summer night in Ohio, the legendary producer, guitarist, and hitmaker turned the scenic Blossom amphitheater into a glowing disco under the stars. It was funky, joyous, and celebratory — the kind of show that makes you forget about everything except the groove.
When Nile Rodgers walks onstage, you’re not just seeing a performer — you’re watching pop history come to life. His fingerprints are on everything from David Bowie to Madonna to Daft Punk, and yet he carries himself with the same warmth and humility as the guy who just wants to make sure you have a good time. At Blossom, that good time turned into a full-on dance party.
Groove Mode: Activated
Right from the jump, Nile and the band wasted no time, launching into “Le Freak.” That unmistakable riff hit like a lightning bolt. The crowd shot up from their seats, and in seconds, Blossom transformed into one massive dance floor. Nile’s white Stratocaster sparkled in the stage lights as he smiled out at the crowd, shouting, “C’mon, everybody dance!” The energy was electric — and it didn’t fade for the rest of the night.
“Everybody Dance” followed, and the title couldn’t have been more appropriate. The rhythm section was airtight, the horns were bursting with energy, and the backup singers brought the house down. You could see fans of all ages — from disco-era veterans to Gen Z Daft Punk fans — moving in unison. Nile’s guitar tone, that signature “chucking” rhythm he invented, filled the amphitheater like pure sunshine.
Then came “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)”, and if anyone had been sitting, they weren’t anymore. Nile introduced it with a little story about CHIC’s early days, recalling when they couldn’t get into Studio 54 — so they went home and wrote “Le Freak” out of frustration. “That turned out okay,” he said with a laugh, earning cheers and laughter from the crowd.
“I Want Your Love” brought a lush, soulful wave to the night. The horn section was gorgeous, and the singers nailed every harmony. The moon hung low over Blossom’s open-air lawn, and for a few minutes, the entire amphitheater felt wrapped in groove. Nile’s playing was fluid and emotional — funky, yes, but melodic in a way that only he can make sound effortless.
Hit After Hit After Hit
After that early rush of CHIC classics, Nile steered the night into his broader catalog — the soundtrack of pop history. First up was “I’m Coming Out / Upside Down”, the two Diana Ross songs Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards co-wrote and produced. The medley was pure bliss — a glittering disco parade. The crowd screamed every lyric, hands waving, the horns punctuating each chorus like fireworks.
From there, the band flowed seamlessly into “He’s the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family.” These Sister Sledge classics still hit with the same joyous energy they had in the late ‘70s. Nile took a moment before “We Are Family” to pay tribute to Edwards, his longtime CHIC partner and brother in groove. “Every time we play this song, I think of him,” Nile said softly, before cueing the band. The audience sang the chorus in unison — “We are family!” — and the sound of thousands of voices bouncing off the Blossom hills was pure magic.
Pop Royalty, Nile Style
Nile’s influence doesn’t stop at disco. His touch helped shape entire eras of pop, and he wasn’t shy about showing off just how deep that influence runs. The band launched into a medley of “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl”, and the place erupted. Rodgers produced Madonna’s breakout album Like a Virgin, and live, the songs sounded bold and fresh, backed by CHIC’s live funk firepower. The backup singers absolutely crushed it — channeling Madonna’s attitude but with CHIC’s unmistakable polish.
Then came “Modern Love,” a nod to Nile’s late friend and collaborator David Bowie. It was one of the night’s biggest surprises, and it ripped. Nile’s crisp guitar work and the horn stabs made the song come alive in a way that would’ve made Bowie proud. When the chorus hit, the entire crowd was jumping.
Without missing a beat, Nile segued straight into “Get Lucky.” The Daft Punk hit he co-wrote and played on turned the venue into an outdoor rave. People were waving their arms, dancing in the aisles, and singing the chorus like a mantra. You could feel generations colliding — parents and kids dancing together to a song that bridged decades of Nile’s genius.
“Let’s Dance” followed, and Blossom exploded. The Bowie classic — which Nile famously produced — hit with full force. The horns punched, the rhythm section was unstoppable, and Nile’s grin stretched ear to ear as he laid into that iconic riff. When the chorus hit — “Let’s dance! Put on your red shoes and dance the blues!” — it was pure euphoria.
A Grand Finale of Groove
Of course, there was only one way to end a night like this. The unmistakable bassline of “Good Times” rolled out across the amphitheater, and the place went wild. It’s one of the most important grooves in music history — the foundation of disco, funk, and even hip-hop — and hearing it live was like witnessing history in motion.
Midway through, the band shifted seamlessly into “Rapper’s Delight,” the Sugarhill Gang’s classic that famously sampled “Good Times” and helped launch hip-hop. The singers traded verses, the crowd rapped along, and Nile stood center stage, strumming with that confident, easy rhythm that defines his style. He didn’t need to say a word — just played and smiled, soaking in the love.
As the jam built, the crowd was on its feet — dancing, clapping, singing, and completely immersed in the moment. It was pure celebration. When the final notes hit, Nile looked out at the sea of faces, hands raised high, and just said, “Thank you for sharing these good times with us.”
Still the King of Cool
What makes Nile Rodgers so special isn’t just the number of hits he’s had (though that list could fill an entire night by itself). It’s the way he connects. He carries the show with an easy grace — part bandleader, part storyteller, part joyful survivor. Between songs, he shared moments of gratitude and reflection, even mentioning his battle with cancer and how every performance now feels like a gift. “Every night I play, I’m thankful to still be here,” he told the crowd. “And to still be able to do this — with all of you.”
That humility is what grounds all the glitter. Despite being responsible for some of the most famous songs ever recorded, Nile Rodgers still comes across as a guy who just wants to make people happy. And it’s impossible not to feel that energy when you’re there.
The CHIC band was phenomenal — a group of musicians so tight they could probably groove in their sleep. The horn section was explosive, the percussion was locked in, and the backup vocalists were pure stars. The two lead singers, in particular, were incredible — switching from sultry disco to powerhouse pop with ease. And through it all, Nile’s rhythmic guitar anchored everything. That “chucking” pattern he invented decades ago remains one of music’s most recognizable signatures, and live, it’s hypnotic.
Final Thoughts
As the crowd spilled out of Blossom Music Center into the cool September night, smiles were everywhere. People were humming “Good Times,” strangers were high-fiving, and couples were still dancing as they made their way to the parking lot. That’s the Nile Rodgers effect. You don’t just leave his show entertained — you leave happier.
This wasn’t just a concert; it was a reminder of how deep Nile’s influence runs, and how timeless his music really is. He’s been the invisible hand behind pop’s greatest moments for nearly fifty years, yet onstage, he’s anything but invisible — he’s magnetic, warm, and totally in his element.
At Blossom Music Center, Nile Rodgers & CHIC didn’t just play a show. They threw a party for the ages — a disco under the stars, a celebration of funk, and a testament to how powerful joy can sound when played through one of the greatest bands on earth.
The good times never stopped that night — and no one wanted them to.
Setlist – Nile Rodgers & CHIC – Blossom Music Center – September 2023
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Le Freak (CHIC)
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Everybody Dance (CHIC)
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Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah) (CHIC)
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I Want Your Love (CHIC)
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I’m Coming Out / Upside Down (Diana Ross)
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He’s the Greatest Dancer / We Are Family (Sister Sledge)
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Like a Virgin / Material Girl (Madonna)
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Modern Love (David Bowie)
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Get Lucky (Daft Punk)
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Let’s Dance (David Bowie)
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Good Times / Rapper’s Delight (CHIC / Sugarhill Gang)
A funky, feel-good night that proved one thing beyond doubt: Nile Rodgers doesn’t just play the hits — he is the hits.