Photos and review by ALYSON CAMUS
LOS ANGELES – The Greek Theatre was one of the final stops of Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka co-headlining tour, a truly captivating pairing. You could call it a perfect combination – I only regret they didn’t take the opportunity for a duet – and a night filled with rock, R&B, funk and more.
Both artists rose to fame in the early 2010s: Brittany Howard as the powerhouse behind the critically acclaimed rock band Alabama Shakes, and Michael Kiwanuka, whose career took off after the release of his debut album “Home Again” in 2012.
In addition to Kiwanuka reworking Howard’s song “13th Century Metal” back in 2020, it felt natural for the British and American singer-songwriters to unite for this joint U.S. tour—and everyone at the Greek Theater seemed to agree. In a press release, Howard expressed her excitement, saying, “I am so excited to be touring again with my dear friend Michael Kiwanuka and hitting so many amazing venues across the country in the fall. We started this journey at almost the same time in 2011 and it has been so amazing to follow his growth as an artist. I can’t wait to watch his set and also see Yasmin Williams as she is such a unique artist. This tour is a dream come true.”
Yasmin Williams was, indeed, an incredible surprise. Alone with her acoustic guitar, she captivated the audience with her extraordinary fingerpicking skills, commanding the large venue despite remaining seated throughout her performance.
She played intricate instrumental compositions with mesmerizing virtuosity and ease, sometimes positioning her guitar face-up on her lap, plucking the strings so quickly that it was impossible to follow her finger technique. She also used the guitar as a percussive instrument, tapping the body to mimic drums while her fingers glided over the strings effortlessly. At one point, she placed a small kalimba on her guitar to add yet another dimension to her performance. Some musicians reinvent the way instruments are played, and Yasmin is certainly one of them.
Since the release of “Home Again,” an album blending vintage soul with folk influences, Michael Kiwanuka has expanded his sound to new horizons without losing his distinctive voice. His more recent songs have become increasingly ambitious, pushing his songwriting in new directions. His set at the Greek Theater primarily featured tracks from his 2019 album “KIWANUKA” and his 2016 album “Love and Hate.” Surrounded by an excellent eight-member band, including three backup singers – who particularly shone during “Rule the World” – he delivered a set full of poignant melodies and introspective, meaningful lyrics. Throughout the set, films depicting couples, children, a baby’s face, touching hands, and all kinds of images inspired by love, hope, kindness, and human connection, were projected on the screen behind the musicians, perfectly reflecting the cinematic power of his music.
Kiwanuka’s stage presence is humble, letting the music speak for itself. From the soulful melancholia of “Hard to Say Goodbye” to the African-rhythm-infused “You Ain’t the Problem,” and the more upbeat “Father’s Child,” his musical world is intimate, even confessional yet sonically expansive. At the same time, the timeless quality of his songs, which infuse classic styles and modern relevance, often recalls the work of Bill Withers or even Marvin Gaye. Many of the songs oscillated between powerful rawness and vulnerable intimacy, beautifully enhanced by his evocative vocals and his talented backing band. In addition to the impressive backup singers who expanded Kiwanuka’s rich vocal range, the band’s energy was amplified by two drummers and wobbling synthesizers, creating a unique blend of funk, soul, and R&B.
After a scorching moment during “Rule the World,” “Hero” delivered another exciting musical high point, prompting many in the audience to stand up and dance. The calmer but beloved “Tell Me a Tale” with its vintage R&B flavor, complete with bongos and shakers delighted the crowd, while the smooth “The Rest of Me” had a jazzy touch.
“How are you feeling LA?” Kiwanuka asked the crowd before introducing his large band. The poignancy of the melody in “Cold Little Heart” – famously used in HBO’s show “Big Little Lies” – perfectly illustrated the emotional depth of his work. He closed his set with the epic seven-to-eight-minute-long “Love and Hate,” building to a final, climactic moment with layered arrangements and Michael’s voice encapsulating a range of complex human emotions: “You can’t take me down/You can’t break me down” he sang, as the crowd responded with enthusiasm.
Though he didn’t preview any material from his much-anticipated fourth album, “Small Changes” set for release on November 15th, the energy and passion of his performance left fans eager for what’s to come.
Contrasting with Michael Kiwanuka’s shy and restrained presence, Brittany Howard took the stage by storm with her powerhouse voice and unique personality, commanding the stage like a diva with nothing but good intentions. The audience knew what to expect: she was not there to perform old Alabama Shakes hits, but to showcase her solo career, featuring songs from her critically acclaimed 2019 album “Jaime” and her more recent release “What Now,” from this year.
The show began on a smooth, vintage R&B note with the melancholic “I Don’t,” followed by the soulful “He Loves Me” and the euphoric “Stay High.” As the set progressed, Howard blended rock, soul, blues, R&B, funk, and other eclectic influences, all carried by her commanding and soulful voice. Her vocal prowess seemed limitless, whether in quiet moments or powerful yells, both delivered with the same intensity.
Joined by seven band members, the lush live arrangements—backed by guitars, backup singers, drums, and synthesizers—built layers of sound around her impressive vocal range, which soared above it all. “This is by far the most beautiful-looking crowd that I’ve ever seen on this tour,” she remarked after a few songs. Since the breakup of her band Alabama Shakes, her lyrics have become more explorative and personal. Yasmin Williams returned to the stage for an effortless and impressive guitar solo during “Samson,” eclipsing the trumpet of the original version.
Before the playful “Baby,” Howard shared the song’s origins: “I was doing 80% of the work and they were putting in 20% effort… they didn’t put no gas in my car for using it, didn’t take my trash out… but they still wanted to call me baby! But I’ve got a microphone, so I’ve gotta say something… since I’ve got the mic, I’m gonna list all the reasons I was right!”
“History Repeats” followed by Nina Simone’s “Revolution” (a reimagining of The Beatles’ “Revolution”) brought a funk and gospel rock explosion with Howard’s voice always dominating the massive sound. Propelled by her formidable musicians, her performance was simply electrifying, as she went full Elvis on this one, rearranging all the furniture around her.
Much like Michael Kiwanuka, Howard’s songs delve into deeply personal themes, including history, racial identity (as in “Goat Head”), and queerness, all with unflinching honesty, while her endless sonic exploration has made her music hard to categorize. From the ‘80s-inspired dancefloor “Prove It to You” to the grittier “Power to Undo,” and the epic, defiant spoken-word love declaration “13th Century Metal,” she proves to be a truly unique performer. “We are all brothers and sisters,” she shouted to an adoring crowd. After the wah-pedal heavy of the energetic “What Now,” the unstoppable woman briefly exited the stage, only to return and close the night with the energetic “Another Day.”
Michael Kiwanuka and Brittany Howard have nothing left to prove. If Kiwanuka’s shy presence contrasted with Howard’s fiery delivery, both artists excel at conveying strong messages through personal lyrics and distinctive sound pallets. Their co-headlining tour undoubtedly reinforced their status as performers with unique voices, capable of captivating an audience with raw and sincere emotions.
Brittany Howard Setlist
I Don’t (What Now 2024)
He Loves Me (Jaime 2019)
Patience (What Now 2024)
Stay High (Jaime 2019)
Red Flags (What Now 2024)
Samson (What Now 2024)
Baby (Jaime 2019)
Presence (Jaime 2019)
History Repeats (Jaime 2019)
Revolution (Nina Simone cover)
Goat Head (Jaime 2019)
Prove It to You (What Now 2024)
Power to Undo (What Now 2024)
13th Century Metal (Jaime 2019)
To Be Still (What Now 2024)
What Now (What Now 2024)
Encore
Summer Breeze
Interlude (What Now 2024)
Another Day (What Now 2024)
Michael Kiwanuka Setlist
Hard to Say Goodbye (Kiwanuka 2019)
You Ain’t the Problem (Kiwanuka 2019)
Father’s Child (Love & Hate 2016)
Rule the World (Love & Hate 2016)
Hero (Kiwanuka 2019)
Tell Me a Tale (Home Again 2012)
Floating Parade
Light (Kiwanuka 2019)
The Rest of Me
Cold Little Heart (Love & Hate 2016)
Love and Hate (Love & Hate 2016)
Yasmin Williams Setlist
Cliffwalk
Hummingbird
Juvenescence
Guitka
Restless Heart