PHOTOGRAPHS AND ARTICLE BY: NADINE SWIGER
Robin Thicke brought plenty of style, soul and personality to the Suburban Park Stage at the New York State Fair, proving that sometimes a great concert is just as much about the performer as it is the music.
From the moment he stepped onto the stage, Thicke seemed completely at home in front of the crowd. Dressed to shine in a sparkly outfit that fit the evening perfectly, he danced, joked and interacted with fans throughout the show, making the performance feel fun and relaxed from beginning to end.
There was an easy charisma to the way he worked the stage. Whether he was singing, dancing or simply talking with the audience, Thicke had a way of keeping everyone involved. At one point, he even climbed onto the grand piano while performing, adding another memorable moment to a show that never seemed short on personality.
At one point, he even asked where all the “bad girls” were before dedicating “Teach You a Lesson” to them, adding another playful moment to the set.
But one of the most memorable moments of the night came when Thicke took a break from the music to speak honestly with the crowd about some of the hardest moments of his life. He opened up about losing his father, going through a divorce, losing his manager, facing a lawsuit and even losing his home in a fire. Despite everything he had been through, his message was one of hope, faith and self-love.
“Don’t ever lose faith in yourself, and don’t ever lose faith in God,” Thicke told the crowd, reminding everyone that even through the toughest times, it is possible to turn things around and find your way forward. He also encouraged the audience to love themselves just as they are and be grateful for the people who help carry them through difficult times.
After that touching moment, it was right back to the party. Thicke and his incredible band kept the energy high, proving he could move effortlessly between an emotional heart-to-heart and a dance-filled performance.
Thicke has been part of the R&B and pop music world for more than two decades, both as a performer and behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer. Long before becoming a household name himself, he wrote and produced music for artists including Michael Jackson, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Usher and Jennifer Hudson. By the age of 21, he had already worked on more than 20 Gold and Platinum albums.
His own recording career began with A Beautiful World, followed by albums including The Evolution of Robin Thicke, Something Else, Sex Therapy, Love After War and Blurred Lines. Over the years, songs such as “Lost Without U,” “Magic” and “Blurred Lines” helped establish his smooth blend of R&B, soul and pop.
Of course, “Blurred Lines” remains his biggest commercial hit. Released in 2013 with T.I. and Pharrell Williams, the song spent 12 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to earn Diamond certification. It was also part of the night’s New York State Fair performance, giving the crowd one of the most recognizable songs of the evening.
The show also dipped into Thicke’s hip-hop collaborations, including “Shooter,” his song with Lil Wayne. With his band behind him and plenty of movement on stage, the performance moved easily between R&B, pop and hip-hop influences.
Beyond music, many fans have also come to know Thicke through television. He has been a panelist on FOX’s The Masked Singer, where his sense of humor and easygoing personality have made him one of the familiar faces of the show alongside the other celebrity panelists.
That same personality came through at Suburban Park.
Thicke brought an effortless energy to the stage, pairing his smooth vocals with plenty of personality and stage presence. His smooth vocals, infectious smile and dance moves kept the crowd engaged throughout the night.
Robin Thicke’s first appearance at the New York State Fair turned into an all-around fun night of R&B, pop, dancing and showmanship. With a little sparkle, plenty of charm and a crowd ready to have a good time, he knew exactly how to keep the party going. And for fans who know him from The Masked Singer, seeing our favorite judge take the stage and do what he does best was an added bonus.
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