The legendary André 3000 debuted at the prestigious Kennedy Center on Saturday, November 9th, to promote his three-time Grammy-nominated album "New Blue Sun." R&B vocalist and Baltimore native serpentwithfeet was the evening's opening act.
The performance commenced punctually, and from the moment the artist serpentwithfeet appeared on stage, it was evident that he possessed a unique presence. The singer donned an innovative coat featuring additional arms, creating an intriguing visual resembling a human "capitellar." Although this may sound unconventional, it effectively complemented his artistic expression.
His 30-minute set included the tracks "Fellowship," a cover of Ginuwine's "So Anxious," and concluded with "Lucky Me." I remember attending a previous live performance of serpentwithfeet and enjoying it. While his music is an acquired taste, it was evident that he gained some new fans in the audience.
Following a lengthy intermission, with no DJ present to keep the crowd hype, André 3000 took the stage. Sans for a blue light, the atmosphere in the venue was pitch black, and when the band finally took the stage, it was clear that this wasn't going to be a traditional concert. One of the most surprising things about the performance is that no songs from the album were performed. Instead, Cupid Valentino and his band gave the audience what can only be described as an impromptu jam session.
Attendees heard everything from André's breathing to finger movements on the instruments. There were dialogue moments in the show where he spoke that garnered laughs from the audience, but mostly, this show was about a man expressing his creative freedom. In that regard, I will say, like the album, the experience isn't for everyone.
However, as the evening went on, I was won over in two ways. The cinephile in me immediately thought that if Andre were to link up with Jordan Peele or Christopher Nolan, he could get an A1 score for a film. Secondly, if only for one night, the calming music erased my feelings about the election results.
While there were no bars spit during the performance exiting the venue, it was clear that creatively, André 3000 is exactly where he wants to be.
Final Grade: B