Sade's concert got better as the sound and visuals improved

Sade saluted at the end of "Soldier of Love" Star Tribune photo by Rich Tsong-Taatarii

Sade's concert started off on the wrong foot Tuesday at Target Center with the militaristic "Soldier of Love." The music was too loud and her vocals too soft (they're always pretty soft). The sound imbalance was compounded by a staging and lighting scheme that was more artful than illuminating.

However, as the night wore on, the sound mix improved (especially during the ballads, as I noted in my review) and the visuals eventually enhanced rather than detracted. In other words, after an off-putting start, the show got better and better. One notable exception: the rap section by her backup singers during "Paradise" that allowed Sade to change outfits.

The attendance was announced at 6,500, about 500 fewer than attended Sade's last Target Center show in August 2001.

Here is Sade's set list from Tuesday:

Solider of Love/ Your Love Is King/ Skin/ Kiss of Life/ Love Is Found/ In Another Time/ Smooth Operator/ Jezebel/ Bring Me Home/ Is It a Crime/ Love Is Stronger Than Pride/ All About Our Love/ Paradise/ Nothing Can Come Between Us/ Morning Bird/ King of Sorrow/ The Sweetest Taboo/ The Moon and the Sky/ Pearls/ No Ordinary Love/ By Your Side ENCORE Cherish the Day