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After a 15-year hiatus, it’s safe to say that D’Angelo is officially back — and he’s better than ever. The R&B crooner performed at the historic Apollo Theater in New York on Saturday (Feb. 7) in support of his latest release, ‘Black Messiah.’
The night’s performance had two significance for the 40-year-old piano man. For one, it was the place that a then-16-year-old Michael Archer got his first taste of performing in front of crowd and where he won Amateur Night in 1991. Second, D’Angelo was performing on his late friend J Dilla’s birthday.
Back by the Vanguard, his 10-piece ensemble that featured virtuoso bassist Pino Palladino and ex-Time guitarist Jesse Johnson, D’Angelo performed a three-hour set of unbridled soul and funk. According to Billboard, the singer was a masterful bandleader, as he performed his classic tunes — three from ‘Brown Sugar’ and five from ‘Voodoo’ — as well as new songs from ‘Black Messiah.’
D was at home on the Apollo stage turning each of his songs into 10-minute jam sessions. The sold-out crowd sang along to ‘Brown Sugar’ and during a rousing performance of ‘Chicken Grease,’ the entire venue felt like a church revival was taking place.
While performing ‘Back to the Future (Part 1),’ D’Angelo sang to the crowd, “So if you’re wondering about the shape I’m in / I hope it ain’t my abdomen that you’re referring to,” while patting his noticeable large belly.
D’Angelo ended his show with an encore of his sumptuous ballad ‘Untitled,’ a fan-favorite from his ‘Voodoo’ album. In an unique move, each band member walked off the stage one by one while they played until it’s just only D at the piano. Essentially, picking up where he left off nearly 15 years ago — with just him playing the ivories.
On Feb. 11, D’Angelo will officially kick off his Second Coming tour in Europe. The trek starts Feb. 11 in Zurich, Switzerland and ends on March 7 in Brussels, Belgium.
Welcome back, D’Angelo.
Watch D’Angelo Perform ‘Sugah Daddy’ at the Apollo Theater
Watch D’Angelo Perform ‘Back to the Future’ at the Apollo Theater
Watch D’Angelo Perform ‘Untitled’ at the Apollo Theater
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