Nocturne Live 2025 - Nile Rodgers & CHIC, En Vogue and Shalamar - Live Review

Nile Rodgers & CHIC Close Nocturne Live with the Greatest Dance Party on Earth

For the grand finale of the Nocturne Live series, the weather finally broke. A cooler evening with a touch of rain descended on Blenheim Palace, but it did little to dampen the spirits of a fantastic audience ready for a Sunday night party. Grabbing a delicious Greek wrap and finding a spot, it was clear the vibe was pure celebration. The venue, which had proven itself perfect for rock and pop, was about to transform into the world's most glamorous disco, with the superb sound system and giant screens ready for the funk.

The warm-up was a masterclass in classic R&B, beginning with the effortlessly cool Shalamar. Their slick choreography and infectious energy had the crowd stepping and singing along from the first beat, culminating in a joyous "A Night to Remember."

They were followed by the iconic En Vogue, whose powerhouse vocals were simply stunning. Celebrating 35 years, their performance of hits like "Don't Let Go (Love)" was a powerful reminder of their legendary status, providing the perfect vocal showcase before the main event.

Then, the man himself. To see Nile Rodgers & CHIC is to witness a living history of popular music. Rodgers isn't just a performer; he is the architect of the modern pop songbook, and for the next 90 minutes, he and his flawless band took us on a tour of his creations. It was a living, breathing showcase of Rodgers' own musical DNA, played with infectious energy and peerless skill.

The setlist was simply breathtaking. One moment, we were lost in the CHIC classics that started it all, the next we were singing along to the Diana Ross and Sister Sledge anthems he gifted the world. He shared stories of working with legends before launching into the very songs he crafted with them, from Madonna's "Like a Virgin" to David Bowie's "Let's Dance." The band was a non-stop engine of groove, seamlessly weaving in modern hits like Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" with timeless classics.

The finale, a euphoric "Good Times" blended with "Rapper's Delight," was the ultimate celebration. As thousands danced in the courtyard of a centuries-old palace, it felt like the perfect punctuation mark on a brilliant festival. It was a masterclass in joy, a dance-fueled finale that sent every single person home buzzing.

Thank you to the Nocturne Live team for another amazing year - and their last at Blenheim Palace as they announced this evening:

"Nocturne Live will not be returning to the Palace in 2026. We will be in touch in the coming months to share our exciting plans for the future. There is still so much music we can’t wait to bring to Oxfordshire…"

Lets hope something exciting is in the pipeline for next year as these previous 10 years at the Palace have been wonderful.