Milwaukee was treated to Stevie Wonder's “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart” tour at Fiserv Forum on Thursday night. The pre-election tour will make only 11 stops and finishes Saturday, Nov. 2 in Chicago.

The show started at 8:30 p.m. and Wonder's children, daughter Aisha and son Kailand, escourted him on stage. "I'm here to speak to you from the heart and spread some love," Wonder said.

And for the next 2 1/2 hours, he did just that.

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Accompanied by a backing band of about 30 musicians that included strings, percussion, horns, woodwinds and back-up singers, Wonder and his piano roared through 30 songs. He opened the show with his first new solo song in eight years, “Can We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart.” The setlist spanned his extensive repertoire and featured numerous tracks from “Songs in the Key of Life,” “Innervisions,” "Talking Book," and “Hotter than July," including "Sir Duke," "Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing," "Higher Ground," "Master Blaster (Jammin)" and "Superstition." 

Although the tour was  “a call for joy over anger, kindness over recrimination, peace over war,” Wonder's messaging was never overtly political. Instead, he spoke of love and the need for people to come together as a "united people of the United States" and later said it was time to "Make America love again."

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Wonder set an example on stage by making the audience truly a part of the performance. There were numerous sing-alongs, including the sweet "You are My Sunshine," and when someone in the audience yelled "I love you, Stevie," he responded with "I love you, too." He also checked in with the audience numerous times. "Are y'all good?" "Are we good?" 

The audience was more than good. The almost-sold-out show was filled with a diverse crowd that skewed slightly older, but that didn't stop us from standing up for much of the show, dancing, singing and shining phone flashlights.

Wonder's message encouraging people to vote was projected on a video screen: “Vote with the consciousness of truth, freedom and tomorrow,” along with QR codes directing fans to non-partisan organizations.

Halfway through the concert Wonder left the stage to give his voice a rest. Singer and pianist Sheléa performed a few snippets of songs and a full, beautiful rendition of Carole King's "You've Got A Friend." When Stevie returned to the stage while the band was performing "Contusion," he was donning a different outfit, changing from a casual patterned shirt and pants to a black suit. 

Like most musicians when they gig in Milwaukee, he had to broach the subjects of beer and cheese. "I know this is a cheese state," he said. "You can love cheese, but don't be acting cheesy, OK?"

Family was also a big part of the show. Wonder's kids – and his granddaughter – came on stage a couple of times. He also dedicated a song to his wife and acknowledged his mother as well as all mothers. (This was particularly touching for me as my 21-year-old son who was my date for the evening responded with a hug and a thank you.)

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At 74 years old, Wonder appears to have a lot of life left to live. But the realization that this concert was a rare opportunity that doesn't come around very often wasn't lost on the audience. We relished in his talent and joy and love.

Set list:

Can We Fix Our Nations Broken Heart
As If You Read My Mind
Master Blaster (Jammin)
Higher Ground
You Are My Sunshine
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
For Once In My Life
Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours
Send One Your Love
My Cherie Amour
Overjoyed
Until You Come Back (by Aretha Franklin; performed by Sheléa)
Feel Like Making Love (by Roberta Flack; performed by Sheléa)
You've Got A Friend (by Carole King; performed by Sheléa)
Something Is Coming (Sheléa)
Contusion
Don't You Worry About A Thing
Love's In Need Of Love Today
Village Ghetto Land
Living For The City
Sir Duke
I Wish
Isn't She Lovely
I Just Called To Say I Love You
Superstition
Do I Do
I'll Be Loving You Always
Another Star