Photo of John Legend by Samantha Pearlman
John Legend’s Get Lifted 20th anniversary tour came to St. Louis Monday night at The Factory, celebrating the album that launched his career in 2004. It wasn’t just a concert, it felt like a story. He opened with “Let’s Get Lifted” at the piano, and you could immediately feel the music fill the room. When he plays, it’s natural and soulful, every note as powerful as his voice. Get Lifted won three Grammys, including Best R&B Album and Best New Artist, and hearing these songs live two decades later showed why they’ve stood the test of time.
Every song had its own feel. When he played “Ordinary People” on the piano, the lights focused on him in a way that felt deeply personal. The lights shifted from soft and intimate to bright and colorful, perfectly setting the tone for each song. The crowd was up and dancing, singing along, and Legend even brought someone from the crowd onstage to join the fun.
Legend kept things fun, joking about Get Lifted: “Some of you didn’t like it, and some of y’all loved it a little too much… because ya nasty!” He also shared a story about hoping Snoop Dogg would feature on the album. When Snoop agreed, Legend told the crowd Snoop’s exact words: “Aw sh**, you about to make me catch the gangsta holy ghost!” He then transitioned into his song “I Can Change.”
Highlights also included crowd favorites like “Used to Love U,” which had everyone singing along. His band and background singers were incredible, full of energy and soul, keeping everyone moving all night.
He got personal, sharing stories about growing up in a Pentecostal church in Springfield, Ohio, singing in the choir, and how that shaped his music. Then he sang a beautiful gospel song as a tribute to where it all began; the emotion in the room was unforgettable. | Marcelina Enriquez
