“I wanna thank y’all for your integrity,” shouted Erykah Badu to the sold-out crowd at the Orlando House of Blues. It was a steamy Wednesday evening, partially steamy because of the swampy Central Florida weather, far steamier because of who was about to perform.
Months ago, the Queen of Neo-Soul, one of music’s sexiest voices, announced a new project, along with a ten-city tour to promote it, this time around with producer Alan Maman, aka the Alchemist, by her side.
A mystique surrounded the tour. This was not a celebration of an album that had already been released but rather one that hadn’t been released yet. Very little was known, no set lists found online, only scant reviews from people who had seen the show and raved glowingly about it. And why wouldn’t they? It’s Erykah Badu we’re talking about.
After purchasing the tickets online, days afterwards, I received multiple follow-up emails with instructions about the show. Ticketmaster was careful to point out that under no circumstances were cameras or cell phones allowed. No leaked recordings would spoil the surprise of this album. Any fan caught recording would be immediately asked to leave, and probably not politely.
Our generation panicked about a three-hour long, cellphone-less existence but Badu crowds are different, far more chill, knowing there’s no time or place for nonsense, that the performance we were about to witness would ease our tension, strengthen our soul, make our hips sway and provide a night of lasting memories. No cellphones would be needed.
Nearly 3,000 of us sauntered into the Orlando House of Blues that evening, a pre-show line that wrapped around the corner of the concert hall and led halfway around Disney Springs, all eager to see Erykah. It had been a while. Badu hadn’t released a new album in fifteen years, leaving those who adore her to wonder whether the 54-year-old was done, with only her music of the 90s and early 2000s to keep us company.
Nope, Ms. Badu answered the bell with an all-new album, a simultaneously familiar yet still progressive sound.
At long last, the lights dimmed. The stage was not set with traditional “musicians” although there was a bass player and drummer stage left and a keyboard player dead center. Three DJs to her right, the audience’s left, all seated, grooving and contributing their sound to complement hers. Directly behind them, tucked into an alcove in the back, stood Alchemist. To his left, in another alcove, Erykah finally appeared, her voice eerie and soulful, welcoming and beautiful, unlike any other we’ve ever heard.
This was not a tour where Erykah would play her signature hits, although she did tease with an introductory snippet of “On & On” to the roar of the crowd. This entire Abi & Alan Tour was to kick off their new album, a taste if you will, to welcome her back into her audience’s good graces. She would sing the new album in its entirety straight through, one can only assume since no track listing, and only one song, has been released.
Fans will be happy to find out she has not missed a beat. The album promises to be yet another fine work of art. Less instrumental, more experimental, equally soulful, the album had an entirely new Badu sound while keeping true to her roots. While an artist like Erykah understands that her adoring fans want to hear her old classics, she is also a forward-thinking artist looking to progress. This was not a night to celebrate old hits but rather introduce new sounds, all as engaging as those from her past. Note: an upcoming tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of Mama’s Gun is planned for the end of the year.
As Badu’s band broke into each new song and interlude, its title would appear on the screen behind them. No spoilers here as the album will be released in its entirety on August 29. Rest assured it will get a healthy dose of relistening on my personal playlist.
Like so many others in the crowd, I wondered what I’d do without my phone. How would I remember the evening, share clips with friends or store the memories forever?
Then it dawned upon me, that’s just what Erykah wanted. While presenting a modern soulful sound, the night was a throwback. Persian rugs adorned the stage floor, vinyl records in bins for all to see, this was an evening where the crowd watched and danced, sang and cheered, counting down the days until we’d get to hear the album again. When we finally do, those lucky few who saw the sneak peek tour will harken back to those special nights, our phones tucked neatly into the locked pouches we were handed at the door, our eyes fixated on the stage, our hearts warm.
Ms. Badu, thanks for providing all of us with an evening we will never forget, for reminding us how intimate a concert-going experience can be and for blessing us with an incomparable sound that continues to bring us peace.
She sounded better than ever. Her voice was just as phenomenal and her soul had more experience to draw from. I was highly impressed.