Fans expecting Alicia Keys to deliver a low-key concert from the piano bench were in for a surprise at Scotiabank Place on Friday. The Grammy-winning Princess of Soul made a Britney-like entrance in a cage that was strung with chains and surrounded by a lighting rig that looked like the walls of a prison, the barbed wire outlined in white lights. Her hair long and wild, Keys gyrated in sparkly silver pants and when she broke free from the cage, there was no mistaking the message of empowerment. The splashy intro settled into Love Is Blind, and clearly reflected the theme of her fourth and latest album, The Element of Freedom.

Letting loose was the name of Keys’ game during the first show of a major North American tour. She’s been rehearsing in Ottawa this week, and it looks like the hard work was worth it. Keys not only sang, played and directed a terrific band, the sound laden with percussion and backing vocals, but also kept up with the energetic choreography set by her back-up dancers. The stage setup was particularly impressive, centred around a grand staircase and magnificent lighting design.

Keys didn’t play the dancing diva role all night. Just as fans might have wondered where she was going with the over-the-top performance, she said something sweet and inspirational, and then sat down at the grand piano, where she shone, as always.

“Are you feeling unstoppable?” she asked the crowd of 6,000. “That’s what this is all about for me. I feel so blessed to shared this music with you. …. There’s so many doubts, fear worries. I think that happens to all of us and we have to be unafraid, willing to know, that everything you need is right there inside of you. That’s what I try to remember every day.”

Ok, more HQ photos from the set of Put it in a love song , I love those photos and cannot wait for the video! Plus I have been ading more HQ photos we haven’t got yet, so stay turned.

The preview of GOTHAM magazine’s March 2010 issue with cover girl Alicia Keys was handed out during NY Fashion Week. She was styled by June Ambrose and is rocking a pretty green Catherine Malandrino dress for the Spring kickoff issue.
I have also uploaded image galleri with many photos from the set of Put it in a love song, shows (2009-2010), plus magazines like Uptown 2009, Vanity Fair 2007 covers, Giant 2007, Billboard Nov 14th 2009 and more!

Alicia Keys has been added to the headline roster for this year’s Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Keys will join Mary J. Blige, Gladys Knight, Keri Hilson, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Charlie Wilson, Earth, Wind and Fire and others performing at the Louisiana Superdome July 2-4. The festival began in 1995 to mark the 25th anniversary of Essence magazine. Last year, the event marked its 15th anniversary with a record-breaking 428,000 attendees. Besides music, the festival includes free motivational and self-improvement seminars and is billed as one of the largest events in America that celebrates black music and culture.

This will be Keys’ third time performing. Other 2010 acts include De La Soul, Chrisette Michele, Joe, Laura Izibor and Melanie Fiona. Louisiana acts will include Irma Thomas, Irvin Mayfield, Ivan Neville, Kermit Ruffins and Little Freddie King.

I have just added about 170 High Quality captures from Alicia’s performance at NBA All-Star Game 2010-02-14.

Fresh off her headlining halftime appearance at the 2010 NBA All-Star Game just up the road a piece at JerryWorld, the talented Alicia Keys is hitting the road in earnest to support her latest album, The Element of Freedom. Thanks to that record and an assist on Jay-Z’s smash hit Empire State of Mind (which appears in slightly rejiggered form on Freedom), Keys is as hot as she has ever been. Tickets for her April performance go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday at all Ticketmaster outlets.

8 p.m. April 2. Nokia Theatre, Grand Prairie. $89.50-$125, on sale Saturday. 800-745-3000; www.ticketmaster.com.

In between the announcement of 2010 BRIT Awards’ winners, musical guests were called out one by one to entertain the audience. Among those rocking London’s Earls Court Exhibition Centre on February 16 were Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Lady GaGa. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys teamed up for “Empire State of Mind” duet. Before taking the mic for singing, the rap mogul raced to the stage to accept International Male Solo Artist prize, citing Spice Girls as his inspiration. You can watch performance HERE

Here is few quotes of Alicia abut “Put it in a love song” videoclip.

“Shooting ‘Put It in a Love Song’ in Rio, in Brazil, was very incredible,” Keys said. “I feel that the energy of the city matches the energy of the song. It’s sensual, it’s exciting, it’s so rich with color. I loved it. The people came out so heavy and so hard. I think it was exciting, especially to participate and experience it with them like that. Me and B have a great relationship. And to be able to have the chemistry we have and do it in a city that’s so unique like that is unforgettable. The pictures speak a thousand words. So you saw the energy out there. It was great.”

On Sunday, Keys performed for more than 108,000 people at the stadium, a new attendance record for any NBA game. The singer did a medley of her hits: “Empire State of Mind,” “Sleeping With a Broken Heart” and “No One.”

“It is a grand stage,” Keys said of the mini-set. “It’s really exciting. I’m a personal fan of championship-style games where the best are playing. It’s exciting, and I love that. Also to be able to perform on a stage like this and a venue like this, people are excited. They’re here to have a great time, and so I’m glad that on Valentine’s Day, I’m able to bring a little love in the building. So it’s gonna be beautiful.”

Alicia has been seen at Heathrow Airport in London yesterday, we have added few photos from that candid :

I have added photos from The NBA All-Star Game halftime show Sunday night at Cowboys Stadium plush short review about Alicia’s performance.

Really, we should say it was all about Keys, whose 10-minute performance was sexy and self-assured. She had to squeeze three tunes through a small window (“Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart,” “Empire State of Mind” and “No One”), but she did it with aplomb. Backed by her band and with her piano handy, Keys commanded the stage, no easy feat since she was flanked by huge video screens and surrounded by basketball fans, clicking photographers, sports media and a court ready for more hoop action.

“Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” and “Empire State of Mind” were performed medley style. She tinkled the keyboards some, but mostly made herself visible front and center. The keys to a Keys performance are always style, substance and old-fashioned showmanship. She’s one of those young, hot artists who seems to have been around for decades soaking up lessons in classic entertainment.
She closed her set with “No One” and had the crowd in her hands. She moved, had fun on the platform and connected immediately because the song is familiar and she delivered it with ease. Before she left, fireworks shot from the back and sides of the stage. Keys took her bow, whetting appetites of true R&B admirers anxious to see her upcoming performance at Nokia Theatre.

By Mario Trradell (Music Critic).