Believe It, Brooklyn — Cher Can Still Turn Back Time

Nile Rodgers and Chic /photo©  by Debra L. Rothenberg

The overflowing crowd at Barclays Center in Brooklyn was eagerly waiting for this extra special night of music and memories to begin — and they were not disappointed.

Nile Rodgers and Chic opened the festivities and any concertgoers who might not have been familiar with them recognized the Rodgers classic hit songs in his set list, including “Let’s Dance,” from the David Bowie album of the same name that he co-produced. “I’m Coming Out,” “We Are Family,” and “Everybody Dance” were also on Rodgers’ set list and helped demonstrate that they were a perfect opening act in what turned out to be a perfect musical night.

At age 73, Cher has gone back out on the road for her Here We Go Again tour, her first global tour since her Living Proof: The Farewell Tour in 2002. At her stop in Brooklyn, she had the crowd singing and dancing during her 17-song set. The two-hour extravaganza began with a dazzling video montage of selected highlights from Cher’s storied career.

Cher On Stage / photo© by Debra L. Rothenberg

Lowered to the stage from high above, Cher is one of the few performers who look great in anything. She started off wearing a red wig, tiara, gown, boots and glitter as she opened with “Woman’s World” from her 25th studio album, Closer to the Truth. Next up was one of her strongest anthems, “Strong Enough,” a hit song about not being afraid to stand alone and kick her lying cheater to the curb. Cher has proved time and time again that she is indeed strong enough to outdo those half her age.

Cher at Barclays Center / photo © by Debra L. Rothenberg

Among the more touching and emotionally charged moments of the night was her tribute to Sonny Bono that began with “The Beat Goes On” and was followed by “I Got You Babe,” as Cher gazed at a larger than life black-and-white video projection of Sonny and sang the duet with him. Most of the audience was caught up in the moment and many were arm in arm, swaying back and forth.

Guitarist Joel Hoekstra played an inspired solo segue from “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” into Cher’s heartfelt rendition of Michael Bolton’s “I Found Someone.” “If I Could Turn Back Time” had hands in the air from almost the entire sold-out crowd. Observing Cher, as she sang this song, it seemed that the ageless entertainer had done just that — turned back time. She is as energetic and dynamic as she has always been and it’s hard not to have a smile on your face the entire time she is on stage.

She closed out the evening with “Believe,” another strong anthem, which asks if there is something left after the love fades. Cher has proved over and over again that there is life after love and that she never stops, she keeps moving on. After seeing Cher perform live, it is hard for anyone to walk away and not “Believe.”