Concert Review: Michael Kiwanuka
February 12, 2020
Fresh off the release of his self-titled sophomore album, Michael Kiwanuka played a sold out show at Philadelphia’s Union Transfer on Monday, February 10th. After the show, Kevin and I discussed Kiwanuka’s performance, our favorite moments from the show, and more! Here’s our conversation:
Stanley: What are some of your general/initial reactions to the show?
Kevin: My guy Michael Kiwanuka! Listen, this man is all business. We legit didn't hear him string more than 10 words together to address the crowd until like halfway through the show. My overall takeaway was really that - he, the band and vocalists were in sync. Everything was tight and blended well. For some reason, their professionalism just stuck out to me. They were like a well-oiled machine, if you will. How about you? Also, how did it feel to be so outnumbered (i.e. Black Man in a White World (Union Transfer))?
Stanley: I'm with you - he and his band sounded incredible. I remember at one point during the show you asked me how much do I think they practice, because they sounded so tight lol. I love the way he approaches and reinterprets that late 60s, early 70s era of Soul music - his live show got that across. One thing that I wish happened, was the bass player taking more liberties. So much of that music is driven by the bass - and he was really good by the way - just wish he was a little more experimental at times. I loved the show. Penciling it in for top 5 right now lol.
And yes - Black Men in a White World (Union Transfer) lol. We'll get more into that in a second, but you couldn't help but notice how white the audience was. Like, unbelievably white lol. But I would also say - just eye test - the audience skewed older too. Like, late 40s, early-mid 50s. Armchair assessment (probably going too far here) is that the mostly older/white audience were there because his music reminds them of their childhood? Kiwanuka is like a nostalgia act in a weird way, even though he's like 30 lol.
Stanley: Most rewatchable/relistenable sequence (or just favorite moment) from the night?
Kevin: I'm going to cheat and pick two. I have to give it up to the vocalists on stage. There was one segment of the show where Michael K. let them iso on the stage and oh boy. They brought everyone to the throne room, we ascended. So I would love for them to run that back so we can relisten. But my favorite moment of the night had to be the phrase "I'm a Black Man in a White World." When he did that song, I mentioned to you that it felt like he made it a point to tell the musicians to chill so we, the audience, could listen to the message. He chanted the phrase at least 100 times throughout the song. Honestly, it felt cathartic. I always liked and appreciated the song but I think the more you go along in life, you see how isolating it can be as a black man in your respective field of work, etc. Live last night, I connected with that the most and haven't stopped playing the song ever since.
Stanley: I'm going to pick a couple of moments as well. Like you, I'm a Black Man in a White World was a favorite moment. The groove was super tight, and it's like it just kept going - I loved those moments when they were just jamming. Another moment I loved was when he performed Light. I've watched that video on a loop since Monday night. It was just him, his acoustic guitar and the two background vocalists, Emily Holligan and Simone Daley Richards. The song is well composed, like the chord structure, but it felt incredible hearing a stripped down version. The background vocalists harmonies added so much too.
A note on the background vocalists and the audience. Okay, that moment you mentioned where he let the background vocalists have center stage and just go. Bro, you could just feel the audience didn't have the awareness of that moment and what they were doing, musically and culturally. It kind of makes me think of the PJ Morton concert, the opposite end of the spectrum. When he would do runs, or when the band would do hits or something, there was just a high level of musical/performance intelligence to know what was happening. Completely went over everybody's head. But yeah, also a favorite moment of mine lol.
Stanley: We saw Michael Kiwanuka a couple of years ago at the Roots Picnic. I am wondering how you thought this show compared to the first time we saw him?
Kevin: I think at the Roots Picnic he kind of caught me off-guard with his set. It was so good that I left that day wanting to listen to more of his music. This line of thinking about a festival act is reserved for select artists who capture the crowd because it can be easy to walk around, talk and ignore artists you don't really know. But I think here, it was more of the same. The show flew by because, even though he can seem unassuming, MK has stage presence and a VERY distinct voice. I think the sound was bigger and sharper last night but I could be projecting and/or misremembering lol. Overall, I would say he was who I saw at the Picnic.
Stanley: Yeah, I think that's a good way to put it - he was who I saw at the Picnic. Festival performances can be a little dicy, given most people aren't necessarily there to see you, versus a solo concert where you are there in that artist's world. Still, I loved both sets.
Stanley: Listening back to some audio from last night and watching some videos, I'd be remissed to not mention the sound at Union Transfer - it sounded incredible in there, just so balanced and clear. Where does Union Transfer rank for you as a venue in the city?
Kevin: If World Cafe Live didn't exist, Union Transfer would probably be at the top. I think as a venue it has this unique feel that say, a Fillmore, doesn't have. There is character to the venue and the sound is impeccable. I would probabllllly rank it just above TLA as a venue but below World Cafe Live - so a clear #2. I always feel like I'm being somewhat biased after these reviews because what I just heard was so good. What do you say though?
Stanley: Man, Union Transfer's sound is so pristine. I could hear the tambourine clearly lol. The vocals were clear, and the instruments didn't over power them. Also, from what I could tell the band didn't use a lot of backing tracks, which I really appreciate. But like you, I think World Cafe Live is still #1, Union Transfer undisputed Middle Weight Champion at #2.
