There are certain bands where the name alone promises a night of joy, nostalgia, and musical precision. Earth, Wind & Fire remain one of those rare acts. Even in 2025, decades after their groundbreaking run in the ’70s and ’80s, they still walk onstage with a sense of purpose—like they’re not just performing songs but delivering an entire philosophy of uplift and celebration. Their December 2025 show at Hard Rock Live at the Etess Arena carried that same intent. It wasn’t simply a concert; it was an affirmation that these songs, these harmonies, and this groove still live in a place beyond time.
What’s striking immediately is how tight the band remains. While lineups shift and eras pass, EWF’s identity is preserved in its sound: stacked horns, velvety harmonies, and the unmistakable interplay between rhythm and melody. The Etess Arena setup was ideal for them—large enough to feel grand, but intimate enough to make the crowd feel they were sharing the room with musical royalty. The atmosphere before the band even took the stage was buzzing with anticipation, from longtime fans in vintage tour shirts to younger listeners ready to check a legendary group off their bucket list.
The lights dimmed, the horns blared, and without any wasted motion the show ignited with “Shining Star.” A perfect opener—bright, triumphant, optimistic—it set the tone for the night. The crowd was instantly on their feet, singing along to every word, as the band delivered those signature harmonies with a freshness that defied the years. The transition into “Let Your Feelings Show” kept the energy right where it needed to be: bouncy, polished, and relentlessly upbeat.
“Can’t Hide Love” shifted the mood into smoother territory, giving the vocalists room to show just how refined the group’s blend still is. The falsettos soared, the guitar phrasing danced around the melody, and the horn section punctuated each chorus with perfect restraint. There’s something almost supernatural about the way Earth, Wind & Fire perform ballads—they’re tender without being soft, emotional without losing their groove.
“Serpentine Fire” cranked things back up, its slinky rhythm line pulling the room into motion. When the band rolled into “In the Marketplace (Interlude) / Jupiter,” the audience was treated to one of those deep-cut moments where the group’s jazz-fusion roots really shine. It’s easy to forget how musically adventurous EWF can be when you mostly know them for their anthems. Here, they let their virtuosity breathe.
The joy only continued with “Sing a Song,” which might be one of the purest feel-good tunes ever written. The Hard Rock Live crowd belted out the chorus like it was 1976 again, and the band clearly fed off that energy. The set took an unexpected—and warmly received—turn with their cover of “Got to Get You Into My Life.” Their version has always leaned more into brass-heavy funk than the Beatles’ original, and hearing it live reaffirmed just how perfectly it fits into the EWF catalog.
“Kalimba Story” and “Devotion” offered contrasting moments: the former playful and percussive, the latter soulful and reverent. There’s something deeply communal about “Devotion” in particular, and the crowd swayed along as if attending some late-night gospel revival disguised as an R&B concert. The emotional run continued with “Would You Mind” and the eternally gorgeous “Reasons,” led with the kind of vocal control that still makes people stop in their tracks. Every time that chorus hits, it feels like the entire room melts just a little.
One of the highlights of the night came before “After the Love Has Gone,” as the band launched into a loose, expressive full-band jam. It gave the horn section room to stretch out and the rhythm players space to dig into the pocket. When the song itself arrived, it wrapped the arena in a silky, romantic melancholy that only Earth, Wind & Fire can pull off with such genuine warmth.
From there the setlist pivoted into their most thematically resonant material with “That’s the Way of the World.” Live, the song feels even more universal. It’s a message about hope, struggle, and the quiet triumphs of life—one the crowd received with an unmistakable stillness. It was a reminder that EWF wasn’t just a hit-making machine; they were philosophers of the human spirit.
Then came the home stretch—the part of an Earth, Wind & Fire show where the energy skyrockets into total celebration. “Fantasy” opened that run with cinematic sweep, followed by the disco explosion of “Boogie Wonderland,” which transformed the arena into an impromptu dance floor. No one—and this is hardly an exaggeration—was sitting. The band was smiling, laughing, stepping forward in synchronized moves, proving that showmanship has always been one of their greatest strengths.
“Let’s Groove” took things even higher. The familiar synth line hit, the bass kicked in, and suddenly the whole arena was vibrating. If any song perfectly captures the band’s belief in music as joy, connection, and movement, it’s this one. The night reached its inevitable peak with “September,” a song that will outlive all of us. Hearing thousands of voices sing “Ba-dee-ya!” in unison is the kind of experience that simply can’t be recreated anywhere but at an Earth, Wind & Fire show.
Even after that monster finale, the band wasn’t quite done. They returned for an encore with “In the Stone,” an explosive victory lap full of horn stabs, layered harmonies, and rhythmic drive. It was a final reminder of the band’s technical brilliance and their ability to make even complex arrangements feel joyful and effortless.
What really stands out, though, isn’t just the songs but the spirit. Earth, Wind & Fire still play like a group of musicians who believe in their mission. They carry themselves with grace, precision, and a genuine love for the audience. The Etess Arena show felt like both a celebration of their legacy and a promise that they’re not done creating moments that people will remember for the rest of their lives.
In an era when so many classic acts rely on nostalgia alone, EWF manages to deliver something deeper—something that feels alive. Their music isn’t just “old favorites”; it’s a living, breathing force. And on that December night in Atlantic City, the crowd felt that power from the opening horn blast to the final chord.
Setlist:
Shining Star
Let Your Feelings Show
Can’t Hide Love
Serpentine Fire
In the Marketplace (Interlude) / Jupiter
Sing a Song
Got to Get You Into My Life
Kalimba Story
Devotion
Would You Mind
Reasons
After The Love Is Gone
That’s the Way of the World
Fantasy
Boogie Wonderland
Let’s Groove
September
Encore: In the Stone