On Sunday night, thousands of people gathered at the elementally themed Mohegan Sun Casino, but they were looking for a different set of elements than those on the slot machine floor.

The legendary funk-fusion band Earth, Wind & Fire was stopping in Connecticut on their 2025 tour, and fans of all ages were gathered for a night of dancing. The globally renowned and highly awarded band has been touring nearly nonstop since their formation in the late ’60s, and it is clear why: the band loves the stage, and the crowd loves them. 

The show began with no opener, and a countdown projected on the digital backdrop ticked down to 7:00 PM on the dot. The band members made their way on stage, and a dozen musicians stood in front of the crowd, already grinning about what was to come. 

The show opened with a bang, starting with one of the band’s biggest hits. “Shining Star” serenaded the crowd, and the entire arena was on its feet, dancing. Fans both young and old were clearly having a great time, and the band was feeding off of that energy. The band cycled through some of their bigger hits, from “Can’t Hide Love” to “Serpentine Fire,” all in the opening of the night.

Each of the three remaining founding members of Earth, Wind & Fire will be celebrating a 75th birthday in 2026, but they looked as full of energy as ever while they were performing.

Each member of the band was dressed in coordinating black and green clothing, each outfitted with thousands of glittering gems and sparkling sequins. There’s something extra special about seeing a group of performers who are purely in it for the love of the game. This was without a doubt true of the members of Earth, Wind & Fire, and their enthusiasm was infectious.

A little over halfway into the set, the band’s introductions were accompanied by a full-band jam session. The melody bounced across instruments, with each member holding the spotlight for several bars before moving on.

This spotlight was extra special, and I truly felt like I was able to connect with each member through their performance. Coupled with the varying solos throughout the show and visual moments onstage, every man was able to let his personality and musicality shine through and connect with the audience.

The band’s touring ensemble had choreography for each song, from simple step-touch moves to spinning complex patterns across the stage. There was never a dull moment, and in fact, there were frequently moments where my eyes weren’t sure where to look among all the activity.

Percussionist and vocalist B. David Whitworth was spinning around his cymbals, high kicking and boogieing around. The Earth, Wind & Fire horns, composed of Gary Bias playing saxophone, Bobby Burns Jr. on the trumpet, and Reggie Young performing trombone, were also in full swing (literally and metaphorically), and the live ensemble added immeasurably to the performance.

Each song showcased an impressive range, from the quick-paced and uplifting “Serpentine Fire” to ballads like “Devotion” and “Reasons.” Lead vocalist and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Philip Bailey serenaded the crowd in high notes, performing the solos in “Devotion”  and “After The Love Is Gone” with barely a visible effort. 

Earth, Wind & Fire’s musical legacy is simply unbeatable, and I truly believe they will continue touring and performing for as long as they are physically able to. The band has not only released numerous chart-topping hits, but also has influenced some of society’s other favorite singers.

In a list compiled by Wikipedia, artists such as Alicia Keys, Usher, Janet Jackson, Prince, Pharrell Williams, The All-American Rejects, Outkast, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, Patrick Stump, Amy Winehouse, and Justin Timberlake have all proclaimed being influenced by Earth, Wind & Fire (among many others). 

There was no slowing down throughout the performance, as the final five songs consisted of some of the band’s greatest hits. Back-to-back hits like “Let’s Groove,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “September” were played, and not a single concert-goer was still.

The band stepped off stage after a false ending for a brief water break, before returning to the stage with the same amount of energy as when they first entered. Their encore was only one song, but “In The Stone” was a fantastic pick for a closing song. 

Sunday night’s performance only solidified something that I already knew: Earth, Wind & Fire’s music has the power to unite, inspire, and energize countless people, and I was truly lucky to have been able to witness this magic firsthand.