Milton | Photo by Cameron Pollack | cameronpollack.500px.com

In his final song on the Marina Stage, Milton sang “are you feeling me… my energy” and the crowd definitely was. The local artist played songs from last year’s Simple Pleasure debut and few new ones from an upcoming LP dropping later this year as this year’s XPoNential Music Festival got underway.

The Maryland native is a performer, not just a singer – he worked the crowd with a charisma that flowed easily from the stage and pulled everyone out of their pre-festival shells with the sing-along-ready “Everybody Knows.”

“Green Acres” showed off Milton’s dexterity as a vocalist and rapper, while “Slipping Dipping” showed off his band.

And what a band it is. Keyboardist and producer Rob Devious provides the beat samples and silky harmonies, while a horn section of trombone and sax create a jazzy depth that pushes this project into a realm that is more than just R&B or hip hop. And keeping everything together are crisp, gospel-style drums.

It was a stellar set that proved to be an early frontrunner for fan favorite, based on the crowd’s enthusiastic reception. Check out a photo gallery and listen back to the audio below.

[xpnplayer action=”audio” category=”Concerts” artist=”Milton – XPoNential Music Festival 2015 ” date=”2015″ button=”yes”][/xpnplayer]

[fsg_gallery id=”51″]

Setlist
Desire
Everybody Knows
Green Acres
Slipping Dipping
Surely
Energetic Tribe