Photos provided by Theo Wargo

Pandemic-related delays led to immense productivity for Alicia Keys, who besides dropping a memoir, “More Myself,” and the introspective companion collection, “Alicia,” went back to the drawing board for the experimental double album, “Keys.”

In other words, she had a ton of new material since previously coming to town for Chance The Rapper’s Magnificent Coloring World festival in 2016 that spanned the personal, observational and topical.

And considering it’s been nine years since headlining the United Center, demand was tremendous when the singer, songwriter, piano player and poet finally made it to Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island, set against the Chicago skyline (though she’s pictured in provided photos on opening night in Charlotte).

The 15-time Grammy Award winner more than made up for such a lengthy gap with a sumptuous two-hour set that spent the front half catching fans up to speed on those current whereabouts, though she certainly made sure to address so many of the chart-toppers along the way that have put her in the upper echelons of both R&B and pop.

From the brand new “Nat King” to the throwback “You Don’t Know My Name,” Keys was magnetic as a vocalist and musician, backed by a soulful band and a beautiful lighting design.

Her lyrical chops remained in a rarely rivaled class come “Time Machine” and “Show Me Love” as she created a relatable rapport, though Keys got even closer to everyone on a second stage where she stripped down several selections, such as a breathtaking “Empire State Of Mind (Part II).”

Upon returning to the main stage, the modern classics continued with everything from “Girl On Fire” and “Superwoman,” to the local choir-accompanied “Fallin’” and the call and response of “No One” as the excitement built towards an encore of Prince’s instrumental “Purple Rain,” straight into “Like You’ll Never See Me Again” and “If I Ain’t Got You.”

Getting to hear so many back to back, in addition to all the earlier gems, made Keys poised to follow in the footsteps of that famed Purple One or really any of the all-time greats thanks to her unparalleled artistry, ambition, and life-affirming attitude.

For additional information on Alicia Keys, visit AliciaKeys.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at Huntington Bank Pavilion At Northerly Island include Florence + The Machine (Sept. 7); Odesza (Sept. 9-10); Deadmau5 (Sept. 23); Lamb Of God (Sept. 24); Conan Gray (Sept. 28); New Order and Pet Shop Boys (Sept. 30) and The Head And The Heart (Oct. 1). For additional details, visit LiveNation.com.

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