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Concert Review: FKJ @ Franklin Music Hall Philadelphia October 2022
A beautifully intimate concert that reminded me that music is about Love.
October 21, 2022
Ms. Butterfly
It was so exciting to see a musician that has made me fall in love with the piano, andmusic once more.
The night started with an opener that were great, two women who were also amazing multi-instrumentalists, one woman on the flute, synths, and saxophone and the other with the bass and guitar. Their backdrop was very femme, a flower and a moon, which was great tosee before the all-male performance that was about to come on. Regretfully I never caught their name.
The set up for FKJ was long, anticipation was high and it was really awesome to see the crew meticulously set up an elaborate stage. They were detailed. It made his entrance even more dramatic.
He steps in stage left by opening a“door,” while we hear his amplified footsteps transporting us into a homey space that is now on the stage. We see three panels light up, windows to a tropical place, immediately reminiscent of the Just Piano video’s background.Ambient lamps dot the stage, like some quaint living room and the instruments have a wooden finish that make them look like furniture. FKJ’s footsteps and breath is amplified highlighting intimacy. He walks towards a tea kettle and we hear him pour and then sip the tea. Calm. He places a vinyl record on, and out wails “Me and Mrs. Jones” as he goes to sit on a couch to relax with his cup of tea. Then the record starts to “glitch” and the refrain loops over and over again. He walks over saying “what?” as if it truly was a glitch, and he puts it on again. It plays then glitches once more then he begins to use the glitch asa loop for his first song. This introduction really set the natural tone of the whole show, like we're not watching a show he's putting on, but peering into his daily ritual.
In a very French fashion, I felt as if I was peering into a glass bottle, seeing a sort of Little Prince with childish wonder who simply loved music.
With great prowess and attention to detail, FKJ put on an experience that is hard to forget. Hopping around stage and going to different instruments on cue is extremely impressive. But even more impressive is how all of that also aligned with the visuals. Flashing lights amidst birds flying, sunsets, and palm trees immersed our senses entirely. At one point the lamps in his room flickered to the beat, almost as if everything came to life. During performances with guestfeatures, like his wife (((O))) in “Vibin Out” or Masego with “Tadow” theirimage would come up behind, I loved how (((O)))’s hands danced to the song with her hands. The Philadelphia crowd also showed up and sang along with (((O))).
The hall’s acoustics were great and each layer of music was clear and present in a way that is different from the recordings. The bass was visceral. He said in the beginning of the show that in the past 3years he spent his time in a room to make music, and this concert was a way of sharing that room with us. How lucky we were!
His drummer and bassist were also both highly skilled. At one point he introduces them and they show off their skills. The drummer really dove into a polyrhythmic sprawl that was wild! The improvisation that he gave just for Philadelphia was also quite great, and I will cherish that recording forever.
There were times in the past where I used to feel a pang of jealousy, or dissatisfaction with life when I saw great musicians and performers. A small voice in my head would berate myself for never being that good. Yet, something about FKJ made me put my own ego aside, and his performance reminded me that music was about sharing Love. He loved music in a way that I didn’t yet, and that is enough, to enjoy that love and to be able to receive it. I feel so lucky to have been able to see him live, for I feel liberated from my own fears, and more invigorated to explore, and to play.
Itwas a friend’s birthday on that day too, and I was glad that I was able to gothere to celebrate it, even if he didn’t know that I was doing so.
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