REVIEW & PHOTOS: Masego at The TLA

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PHOTOS/WRITTEN BY: Janelle Wharton
Instagram: Janelle_Joi
Concert Photos/Photography: notcamerashy_

Singer-songwriter Masego made a stop in Philadelphia for his “Lady Lady North American
Tour,” and bought his patented “Traphouse Jazz” to the Theatre of Living Arts. The tour is
following the release of his full length debut album, “Lady Lady,” that was released earlier last
month. The Virginia native was joined on this tour stop with up and coming R&B duo VanJess,
who opened up the show. The songstresses received good favor from the crowd as people
were blown away by their powerful voices, and ability to command the crowd. VanJess got the
audience warmed up for the night as they performed their sultry, seductive track “Addicted”
along with other songs like the two-step danceable anthem “Through Enough.” VanJess ‘s
energy from their performance was incredibly infectious because after in between waiting for
the main act, the crowd was more amped and lively than ever.

After a half-hour wait the lights in the venue went black as the audience began to rush to the
stage in anticipation for being front and center to see the main act. The crowds cheering grew
louder when the background singers, then the live band members took their places. Seconds
later, the crowd erupted as Masego graced the stage. From beginning to end, there was never
dull moment as fans found it hard to keep still with his electrifying stage presence. It wouldn’t be
a Masego performance if he didn’t bring out his signature saxophone, which he played
accompanying his tracks like“Tadow.” Crowd interaction was dominant throughout the night as
he got the audience to echo his “Yeah’s” and put their phones or pinkies in the air at his
command.

Despite debut album only being a month, attendees belted every word to songs off of “Lady
Lady” such as “Black Love,” “Queen Things,” and his famous sugar mama anthem “Old Age.”
The crowds energy seemed to rub off on him, because to the audiences surprise he came out
for two encore performances. Masego closed with his fan favorite, “Girls that Dance,” and
officially ended the night with a live rendition of another one of his latest album tracks, “Shawty
Fishin.”

For an hour and a half, Masego made the very intimate setting of Theatre of Living Arts feel like
a packed stadium. Everyone in attendance left amazed at his showmanship and anticipating
the next time he makes a stop in the city of Brotherly Love.