When Brittany Howard announced a co-headlining tour with Michael Kiwanuka back in the spring, she called it “a dream come true.” A rapt Philly audience was in full agreement on Sunday night, as the tour kicked off at the Met.
The tantalizing double-bill was a perfect pairing, presenting an unmissable night of funk, rock, and R&B. Both artists experienced breakout success in the early 2010’s and have only become more ambitious in the years since, pushing their sounds and songwriting to new heights with each successive project. Howard and Kiwanuka continue in the tradition of soul singers unafraid of unabashed emotion and self-reflection as they craft musical memoirs, informed by the soundtrack of their lives, their complex pasts, and the often painful present.
Howard enthralled the crowd with command of her instruments, both voice and guitar.
Howard’s set began with soothing sound bowls, which were featured throughout this year’s What Now, her second solo album. These meditative tones prefaced the deceptively gorgeous 70’s style R&B number “I Don’t,” with its melancholy lyrics and Delfonics-style production. Howard was joined onstage by seven band members, collectively transforming tracks from her stunningly produced solo albums into lush live arrangements. The group played highlights from her debut solo record, 2019’s Jaime, moving from the groovy spiritual sprawl of “He Loves Me” to the euphorically romantic slow-burn “Stay High.”
Howard enthralled the crowd with command of her instruments, both voice and guitar. Her seemingly effortless expressiveness and endless inventiveness as a vocalist was on full display, particularly on “Patience.” She’s been a commanding performer ever since Alabama Shakes, her wildly successful previous band, exploded with the nostalgic rock-and-soul hit “Hold On.” Yet since the group’s break-up, Howard’s music has gotten more personal, exploring her family history, racial identity, queerness, and various relationships with unflinching honesty. Her latest record, What Now, furthers her quest for musical self-exploration, simultaneously hypnotic, gritty, epic, and intimately honest.
Like all great performers, Howard has studied the icons who came before her, particularly Nina Simone and Prince. Those vastly different figures reflect the scope and eclecticism of Howard’s artistry. She is unafraid of bitter truths and searing storytelling, much like Simone herself. She paid tribute to the legend by covering “Revolution (Pt. 1),” a reimagining of “Revolution” by The Beatles. Howard’s rendition was propelled by drummer Nate Smith’s slow-burning shuffle, pushing the song from a haunting opening to an electrifying rock-and-roll peak. Reflecting another side of her artistry, Howard’s scorching guitar tone and astonishing falsetto runs (and bold purple lighting) were reminiscent of the Minneapolis icon himself. Synthesizing her various influences and traversing through sounds along with her phenomenal band, Howard’s breathtaking set further cemented her status as one of the great performers of our time.
It’s been five years since Michael Kiwanuka released his last album, KIWANUKA — a wait that induced palpable anticipation in the lead-up to his entrance at the Met. When he eventually took the stage, there was a mutual thrill evident in Kiwanuka’s humble reaction to the adoring crowd.
With an excellent eight-person band behind him, he delivered an unforgettable set full of timeless lyricism and piercingly poignant melodies. In a musical world moving at an increasingly breakneck pace, he has remained committed to crafting albums that unfold as sonic journeys and honor patient listeners. His songs are often intimate, confessional ballads full of love, hope, and suffering, and they sometimes stretch to cinematic heights.
Michael Kiwanuka could silence a room by performing alone with his guitar.
Much like Howard, Kiwanuka could silence a room by performing alone with his guitar. His songs have a timeless quality, due largely to his deeply evocative voice, often compared to Bill Withers. You can certainly hear a similar anguish and honesty between the two men’s enduring expressions of romance and pain. Kiwanuka has also noted Marvin Gaye as a defining inspiration, and you can hear the influence of What’s Goin On in his fusion of the personal and the political. He harkened back to that era with his formidable ensemble which included three incredible back-up singers, delivering a standout moment during a scorching rendition of “Rule the World,” a track from his 2016 album Love & Hate. He was also backed by two drummers, supplying the funky foundation that inspired many audience members to leap from their seats and dance.
Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka speak to the bleak and bitter world through their music, baring their souls and inspiring their audience to unify and dance. The Sunday show marked a key moment in their careers: Kiwanuka is preparing to release his much-anticipated fourth record, Small Changes, on November 15th, while Howard follows a summer full of festival dates by embarking on her second tour this year. They are joined by the opener Yasmin Williams, an incredible guitar player who uses a fascinating fingerpicking style. Check here for more information on where you can catch all three.
