Santigold Lights Up the TLA With a Powerful Philly Return

Santigold returned to her hometown on June 10 for a performance at the Theater of Living Arts that was part joy ride, part revival.

The Philly native took the stage dressed in all white, a nod to the spiritual overtones of her latest album, Spirituals. Her dancers and bandmates followed suit, creating a visual language that echoed the themes of cleansing, ascension, and ritual that run through the project. The color choice also called to mind the white robes worn in Black church traditions, setting the tone for a set that was both celebratory and reflective.

Opening with “Hold the Line,” Santigold moved seamlessly between older fan favorites like “Lights Out” and “Say Aha,” and newer tracks like “High Priestess” and “Shake.” The latter, an uptempo track that nods to the sounds of the Black church, carried added weight live. The song was uplifting, even as the song’s backstory about performing through pain lingered just beneath the surface.

Santigold’s stoic dancers, a mainstay in her live performances, didn’t serve as background; they were extensions of her energy, helping to shape each moment on stage into something intentional. Whether marching in formation or breaking into fluid, almost balletic gestures, the movement never distracted from the music, it elevated it. Peppered throughout were small but mighty references to a plethora of Black cultural and social dances that were popularized over the last 50 years.

“Creator” made the floor shake. “Disparate Youth” brought a collective sense of release, prompting some in the audience to close their eyes and sing along like they were at church. “Run the Road” and “My Horror” offered moments of dark, percussive catharsis. And in the encore, “Starstruck” and “Big Mouth” hit with the same force they did a decade ago, proving her sound has aged like fine wine. The sequencing of the setlist made the entire night feel like a carefully plotted arc, rising, breaking, and returning home again.

Though she didn’t explicitly reflect on her Philadelphia roots, her presence in the city felt full circle. Santigold’s work has always played with contrasts—sacred and profane, soft and militant, DIY and avant-garde—and Monday night’s show was no different. The city that helped shape her artistry showed up and showed love in return.

By the time the lights came up, the crowd was still buzzing, caught in the glow of Santigold’s sonic altar. It wasn’t just a concert; it was a reminder of what art can be when it’s grounded in legacy, liberation, and love.