The Commodores are seasoned performers—Motown legends who’ve given us timeless classics like Three Times a Lady, Brick House, and Easy. When they rolled into the CNE Bandshell this past weekend their mission was simple: bring nostalgia, grooves, and soul straight to the heart of Toronto. No frills, no over-the-top theatrics—just music that sticks in your bones and leaves you smiling long after the final chord.
Crowd Vibe & Venue Energy
The Bandshell’s open-air design gave the evening a relaxed, collective energy. Fans of all ages—longtime followers in their 60s right beside millennials discovering these songs for the first time—filled the space. The energy was cozy and communal, like one big family reunion but with sax solos and horn blasts.
Jully Black, who opened the night, had already got the crowd swaying and in the right mood. By the time The Commodores stepped onstage, the air felt electric—ready for a nostalgic ride through golden-era funk and soul.
Performance Highlights
Intro Medley kicked things off with a burst of familiar riffs, instantly drawing cheers and nods of recognition from the audience.
From there, the night flowed beautifully. Easy and Sail On landed soft and warm, supplying that signature Commodores mellow groove that feels like a smooth, comforting breeze.
Then came a shift: Oh No and Just to Be Close to You reminded everyone why this group wasn’t just soulful—they could pull at your heartstrings too.
Zoom and Sweet Love gave a bit of light bounce, mixing mid-tempo funk with silky vocals that were easy to lean back and enjoy.
Right when you thought things were mellow, Too Hot ta Trot and Machine Gun injected a welcome jolt—tight rhythms that got hands clapping and toes tapping.
Then came the suite of crowd-pleasers:
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Lady (You Bring Me Up): charming, upbeat, and a complete singalong moment.
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Still: tender, heartfelt, and perfectly placed to soften the mid-set.
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Three Times a Lady: probably the emotional high point of the night—romantic, reflective, and a timeless classic.
Nightshift paid lovely homage to Lionel Richie, infusing a moment of tribute with deep groove and feeling.
Finally, Brick House closed the main set with swagger, funk, and fierce energy—no one left standing still.
The Setlist
Here’s the full lineup that made the evening unforgettable:
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Intro Medley
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Easy
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Sail On
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Oh No
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Just to Be Close to You
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Zoom
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Sweet Love
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Too Hot ta Trot
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Machine Gun
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Lady (You Bring Me Up)
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Still
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Three Times a Lady
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Nightshift
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Brick House
Band Dynamics & Stage Presence
Even without Lionel Richie, The Commodores delivered a charismatic performance. The lead vocalist handled the ballads with tender emotion and the funk numbers with controlled energy. Those horn lines—bright, sharp, and layered just right—spiced up every groove. The rhythm section never missed a beat, and the guitars and keys fell in naturally, creating that effortless classic-combo blend.
They nodded to their Motown roots while taking no shortcuts. No flashy choreography, no pyrotechnics—just quality musicianship and joyful delivery.
Audience Connection
Toronto fans were right there with them. Singalongs on “Three Times a Lady” and cheering during “Brick House” confirmed that these songs aren’t just classics—they’re woven into our collective memory.
Older fans looked nostalgic, some making heart shapes with their hands; younger concertgoers were discovering the power of a real funk groove. It was a multi-generational moment, rich with musical heritage and simple enjoyment.
Sound & Production Notes
Sound-wise, the balance was just right. Vocals clear, horns bright but not shrill, and bass and drums firm and in the pocket. As an open-air venue, the CNE Bandshell can be tricky, but the mix engineers nailed it, keeping the sound rich without muddy echoes.
Lighting really played a supporting role: warm washes during ballads, brighter strobes in the energetic sections, spotlight on saxophone solos—simple but effective.
Standout Song Moments
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Three Times a Lady: I lost count of how many people were mouthing the words. Classic tune, classic reaction.
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Machine Gun: That syncopated funk hit like a beat of the heart—sharp, powerful, unforgettable.
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Nightshift: Almost felt like a moment of reflection—honoring Lionel and the legacy, while leaning into the groove.
Performance Flow & Pacing
The pacing was smart. Starting smooth, easing into funk, then letting the love songs breathe before ramping back into danceable classics. The peak energy built clearly, culminating in a joyous—and sticky—finale with “Brick House.”
Crowd Reactions
I overheard a few sharp observations mid-show:
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“They don’t make ’em like this anymore.”
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“I can’t believe Three Times a Lady still hurts me in the best way.”
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Or the spontaneous chant during “Too Hot ta Trot”—kids half-my-age shouting, “Let’s go, Commodores!”
For many, this show felt like meaningful downtime—a break from screens, a connection to soulful rhythms, a chance to feel good together.
Closing Thoughts
This wasn’t about flashy new hits or reinventing the wheel—it was about celebrating excellence. The Commodores delivered exactly what fans needed: soulful warmth, dance grooves, heartfelt ballads, and timeless stage presence. They reminded us that great music never gets old.
It was a performance that ticked every box: fun, empathy, groove, and nostalgia. 2025’s summer in Toronto got one of its sweetest highlights, thanks to The Commodores and their catalog of memories.