Akon and Ne-Yo remind St. Louis of their staying power

Even with the big-ticket co-headlining trend in full swing, a shared bill featuring Akon and Ne-Yo wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card when it was announced early this winter. Not top of mind or bottom of mind. That’s not a shot at either of them. Individually, they’re verified hitmakers who deliver solid live shows. They’re also urban artists who crossed over heavily into the pop arena.

Still, their “Night Like This Tour” sparked more curiosity than anticipation for this reporter. After a two-and-a-half-hour experience that was as visually stunning as it was strong in its live performance elements, it’s clear the summer concert season would have been incomplete without them.

The promotional tagline promised: “Every City. Every Night. Every Vibe – A Party.” While I can’t speak for every city, St. Louis got all four.

Two weeks after Chris Brown and Usher handled their business at The Dome at America’s Center, Ne-Yo and Akon made their own case as a live performance super duo at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre. They delivered a marathon show that stimulated three of the five senses nonstop. They entered and exited on a multi-tier hydraulic stage. Their sets included pyrotechnics, cold sparks, massive screens with crisp visuals, multiple wardrobe changes, floating pole dancers and twerking aerialists.

The audience rewarded them with uninterrupted energy as explosive as the fire and sparks shooting from the stage. Except for a ten-minute intermission, the party never stopped.

It would be hard to find a concert crowd having more fun than the thousands who showed up for Akon and Ne-Yo — and the fun was infectious.

Emerging Trinidadian artist Sej opened the show with an unannounced mini-set featuring three songs from her debut EP, “Unveiling of Sej,” including “Body.”

Ne-Yo emerged first, opening with his pop hit “Closer.” By his third song, the lapel of his burgundy suit was drenched with sweat — a result of precise Michael Jackson-inspired choreography paired with top-notch vocals. He powered through two more selections before the stage went black.

Akon appeared next in a white trench and gloves that fluoresced against his skin. The contrast was striking as he sang “Akon’s Beautiful Day” from a second-tier platform that lowered to the main stage. Like Ne-Yo, he opened with massive hits — “Smack That” and “Locked Up.” He paused before starting “I’m So Paid.”

“Akon. Akon. Akon,” the crowd erupted. From the front seats to the lawn, they chanted in unison. Akon was visibly moved. “Man, it’s so good to be home,” he said.

He was born in St. Louis and spent his childhood between University City — where he attended middle school with fellow superstar Nelly — and East St. Louis. His East St. Louis connection came through his father, Mor Thiam, the Senegalese musician who led Katherine Dunham’s percussion ensemble.

The “Akon” chants continued throughout the night as he was embraced as a hometown hero. He changed lyrics and added commentary referencing St. Louis and East St. Louis, including during the early-2000s hip-hop classic “Soul Survivor.”

Fans also noticed familiar faces in his segment. Les Twins — the French identical duo known for touring with Beyoncé — were major elements of his dance squad. The duo often became a trio when Akon joined them for sequences.

While Ne-Yo is respected as a singer and songwriter, he doesn’t always get his due as a live performer until he reminds audiences. Tuesday was one of those reminders. The show was mostly up-tempo, but he offered ballad teases with “So Sick” and “Mad.” His dancers — curvaceous women in provocative clothing — delivered more than one NSFW moment.

Both artists opened with big hits, but as the night went on, the audience was reminded just how many they have between them. “Champagne Life,” “Sexy Love,” “Time of Our Lives” and “Miss Independent” were among Ne-Yo’s best showings. “Don’t Matter,” “Bananza” and “I Wanna Love You” were major crowd pleasers for Akon.

In one of the night’s many well-received moments, they appeared together to highlight hits they’ve written for others. Ne-Yo’s medley included Mario’s “Let Me Love You,” Rihanna’s “Take a Bow” and Beyoncé’s “Irreplaceable.” Akon offered a mic-drop moment with Lady Gaga’s “Just Dance.” He also performed “Body on Me,” the hit he shares with former classmate Nelly and Nelly’s wife Ashanti.

Ne-Yo used part of the night to promote his new album “Highway 79.” “Imagine if R&B had a baby,” he told the crowd. “‘Highway 79’ would be said baby.” He gave samples with “Up Out & Gone” and “Ms. Tundra,” performing the latter among the audience.

Akon also interacted heavily with fans — singing from a bed carried through the venue during “Beautiful,” performing atop seats, and taking selfies with fans’ phones.

“You’ll never forget a night like this,” Akon and Ne-Yo said in sync before closing with their duet of Akon and David Guetta’s “Play Hard.”

The statement was audacious — and absolutely true. They earned the right to make that claim with how hard they worked to prove themselves right.

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