What Setlist Dallas Fans Can Expect at John Legend’s 20th Anniversary Concert?

John Legend is on his way to serenade the audience of Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Oct. 18, at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, in one of our most anticipated fall concerts of 2025.

Backed by his full band, the Get Lifted 20th Anniversary Tour kicked off in May in the U.K. and it has continued to take off on social media, as shown by the millions of fans celebrating his robust catalog. From “Ordinary People,” to “Tonight (Best you Ever Had),” Legend is creating new memories for his fans with the same sound that captivated his fanbase more than 19 years ago. 

Over the course of his career, Legend continues to push boundaries by exploring his artistry across multiple avenues. His introduction to the world in 2004 eventually paved the way for him to become an award-winning artist. Legend does it all—writes, produces, sings and acts. So much so that the Grammys noted he is one of 15 people to have earned their way to EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner). 

His third studio album, Evolver, speaks to love, humanity, courage, desire and new beginnings. Love in the Future explores the same, but now through a new lens, as Legend married and later expanded his family. In his tenth studio album, My Favorite Dream, he again explores more than one genre and captivates his listeners by telling stories the audience resonates with, but now, through the lens of a father, while also incorporating more of his upbringing. 

R&B arguably remains a fan favorite genre of his work. His first album, Get Lifted, released in Dec. 2004, is often categorized as a melodic blend of R&B, neo-soul and hip-hop, for which he earned eight nominations and three Grammy awards at the 48^th Annual Grammy Awards (Best New Artist, Best R&B Album and Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for “Ordinary People”). Twenty years later, Legend celebrates his debut album Get Lifted on this tour alongside his wife, now four children, and a dedicated fanbase. 

His work continues to move people and has passed the test of time. Here’s what his setlist may be for the Oct. 18 show. 

What songs has John Legend performed on the Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour?

According to Setlist.fm released on Ticketmaster.com, John Legend will be taking his Dallas audience back to the beginning of his catalog. Each night, Legend will deliver a mix of deep cuts, fan favorites, fresh renditions of Get Lifted‘s beloved tracks and other career-spanning hits. The show will begin with “Let’s Get Lifted Again,” a major fan favorite. While piano-driven, his falsetto notes coupled with soulful harmonies bring this song to life and carry a curiosity of the unknown. He then segues into an invitation to travel along a musical journey with “Prelude.”

Many past fans were ecstatic, but not surprised to see that “All of Me” is on the setlist for the encore, as it took the world by storm once released. Almost ten years later, NBC noted that Legend himself still credits the song as the most impactful on his fourth studio Album, Love in the Future, as he sang it at the reception of his wedding.

John Legend Get Lifted – 20th Anniversary Tour Setlist

1. Let’s Get Lifted Again
2. Prelude
3. Let’s Get Lifted
4. Used to Love U
5. Heaven
6. Alright
7. Tonight (Best You Ever Had)
8. She Don’t Have to Know
9. Let’s Do It Again / Number One (The Staple Singers cover)
10. Can Change / I Want You (She’s So Heavy)
11. Precious Lord (Thomas A. Dorsey cover)
12. Everything Is Everything (Lauryn Hill cover) (Snippet)
13. Soul Sista (Bilal cover) (Snippet)
14. You Got Me (The Roots feat. Erykah Badu & Eve cover) (Snippet)
15. Just Friends (Musiq Soulchild cover) (Snippet)
16. Jesus Walks (Ye cover) (Snippet)
17. Encore (Jay-Z cover) (Snippet)
18. Selfish (Slum Village cover)
19. You Don’t Know My Name (Alicia Keys cover) (Snippet)
20. American Boy (Estelle cover) (Snippet)
21. I Only Have Eyes for You (The Flamingos cover) (Snippet)
22. Ooh Laa
23. Save Room
24. Ordinary People
25. It Don’t Have to Change
26. Stay With You
27. Like I’m Gonna Lose You (Meghan Trainor cover)
28. Slow Dance
29. Refuge (When It’s Cold Outside)
30. So High
31. Green Light
32. All of Me
33. Live It Up

Which surprise guests have appeared on his tour stops?

Legend appears to be sticking to the setlist referenced above, and no opening acts have been announced; however, he has hand-picked special guests for select shows throughout the North American leg of the tour. 

For the U.K. leg of the tour, Legend brought out Estelle to sing a huge fan favorite, “American Boy.” 

Jennifer Hudson also made a special guest appearance at the Highland Park, Illinois show and absolutely shut the stage down with a heartfelt performance of “So High” alongside Legend on the piano. Executed by two powerhouses, the pairing was spot on as they went from rich jazz-inspired harmonies to gospel-inspired runs, ending with the refrain in falsetto.

For the Vienna, Virginia show, he brought out Ari Lennox for a soulful rendition of “Ordinary People.” Lennox continues to showcase her soulful R&B tone that is not easily replicated. She was the perfect addition to this show for this song. Both Lennox and Legend have the ability to sing in a medium tone pitch, which falls between higher tenor and lower bass voices, but can then take it all the way up to higher notes within a few seconds.

Which surprise songs should John Legend play during his setlist?

Although not part of his tour, Legend performed in Vatican City for The Grace for the World concert. During his performance, he brought out Clipse to do “The Birds Don’t Sing” live for the first time. If the stars aligned, Legend and Clipse doing it here for a second time would be incredible.

A special surprise that Legend curated for his fans was expanding his studio album by including new and remixed tracks on the Get Lifted (20th Anniversary) album. A remix of “Ordinary People” now includes a feature from the wonderfully talented Tems, who often sings with a sultry, emotional, deep tone just like Legend. This version brings a lighter feeling, yet still enough to think deeply about the same emotions that come up within the original. In traveling through the now expanded Get Lifted, Killer Mike, Lil Wayne, Simi and Black Thought has officially added their spin to the R&B, neo-soul, hip-hop masterpiece. These artists have brought a unique sound that refreshed Legend’s previous contributions. 

Although it appears that Legend is not veering off the setlist, we can only hope that he performs “Coming Home,” after all, his life has come full circle, as he has now reached the highest of highs in his career, to where he can reflect with the gift of time and experience. This song can be interpreted to express curiosity about loose ends within relationships in pursuit of a dream. And then, coming back to what once kept one grounded. It represents hope in the midst of things and people constantly shifting.   

Legend has a way with music that sometimes feels untouchable. He can capture what so many are feeling by reflecting on love, war, everyday inconveniences, desire and inspiration. Legend proves on this tour that he’s not done at all, even after twenty successful years in the industry. He’s right on time, expanding R&B and hip-hop on his own terms. 

John Legend will perform on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, 300 W Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. Tickets are available starting at $49 on Ticketmaster.