I put a spell on you: Janelle Monae live from Smith’s
A Voodoo Chile-prodigy priestess, a moon-age Motown Mick Jagger revival, a tea-cup Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in a James Brown ace bandage, a kids department Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist with a Gaga twist.
Photo credit:
?
During the first of the two rock ‘n’ roll opening acts, I asked the bartender what time Janelle Monae would come on. “10:30,” she said. At 10:30 p.m. the lights went down and a short video played on the curtain surrounding the stage. It had the look and feel of a title sequence from a ’70s Bond movie: a close-up on a pupil, a wash of red, underwater smoke, floating, and an orchestra. It was shoestring-budget beautiful and excessive at the same time, with a wink. A sign of things to come.
?
The show began before the actual show began with the distribution of a flier outlining the top 10 space-brain ArchAndroid command-whatever-ments — a set of positive nonsense spiritual rules, regulations, and helpful hints on how to govern yourself while in the presence of Monae. It also checked some idols, letting you know exactly who Monae would be borrowing from, but with the utmost reverence and respect.
?
And Now The Comparisons: a Voodoo Chile-prodigy priestess, a moon-age Motown Mick Jagger revival, a tea-cup Screamin’ Jay Hawkins in a James Brown ace bandage, a kids department Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist with a Gaga twist.
?
Her moves are kinetic, immediate and a little goofy. She winds herself up and throws herself around, weighted down only by a pair magic, dancing, Disney spats. Her band, also beaming bright in heavy-starched black and white, matches her energy level every step of the way.