Janelle Monáe's "Age of Pleasure"
"It's not about champagne, it's about celebrating" Janelle Monaé toasts the crowd during her song "Champagne Shit". It can be hard to believe but I'm not the most enthusiastic at concerts. I know, I know. With all the reviews I write, how can that be? Well, I usually like to sit in my seat and take everything in. If I'm really moved, I'll get up, dance or sing along. Janelle had me up and dancing for 90% of their show. Like seriously. I could not sit down. She has an infectious energy and God given talents, with her singing, dancing and beautiful aesthetics.
I feel so blessed to have been at Janelle Monáe's final show for "The Age of Pleasure" tour last Wednesday at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles. The stage was set up almost like a church. Each band member and backup dancer made a glorious entrance before Monáe graced the stage. I have to give props to Lessie Vonner and Lexi Hamner who made up part of the horn section. I was blown away, no pun intended. Janelle opened the show with 'Float', the first single off of their latest album "The Age of Pleasure". "I've had a unique opportunity to heal and to let some things go...and in order to float you gotta let things go" Monáe told Jimmy Kimmel last December when she first teased the song.
Back at the YouTube Theater, she was dressed head to toe in flowers as if she was cast in "Midsommar". Each costume change was so beautiful and so carefully crafted to fit each section. The way the "Experience" as Janelle called it, was arranged, there was a different chapter coinciding with her past albums (move over Eras tour!) Janelle really showed off her vocals on songs like 'Lipstick Lover' and her classic 'Tightrope'. And her spotlight dance was reminiscent of Janet Jackson, while dressed like the Phantom of the Opera. Janelle really is like no other. She also brought audience members onstage to dance AND ran through the crowd during the encore section.
It was her gratitude and appreciation to the crowd that really got me in my feels. And she gave a shoutout to her mom who was in the audience that night. I couldn't help but cry. Janelle's music has always been special to me starting when I was 15 and danced to 'Dance Apocalyptic' in my Sophomore dance class. Then in college when we studied her 'Pynk' and 'Crazy, Classic Life' music videos in my Performing Identities class (see my piece on "Dirty Computer" below!) It was really a spiritual experience to see her live. They reminded the crowd to stay present and love oneself. They even made us repeat a little chant, almost like a sermon.
It's hard to articulate that night into words. I did my best, but it was the first concert I had been to in a while, where I wasn't taking notes or making a vlog. Janelle's sermon worked. I was present. And I felt love. Love for Janelle and for myself.
Shoutout to the opener DJ Nana Kwabena who takes DJing to a whole new level with his dancers and African drums. He also credited Janelle for celebrating the "Diaspora".
Read my piece on "Dirty Computer: An Emotion Picture": https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/dirty-computer-an-emotion-picture