Rhiannon Giddens @ Ancienne Belgique (Brussel, BE)
Not that I care about yesterday being Saint Valentine’s day, but if I had to pick up an ideal date, yesterday was it. Last night's performance by Rhiannon Giddens at Ancienne Belgique was a soul-stirring celebration of musical heritage, as the Grammy-winning artist took the audience on an unforgettable journey through a tapestry of diverse musical traditions, and that kept everyone dancing and clapping at almost every song. Giddens, a masterful storyteller and virtuoso musician, delivered a performance that transcended genres and left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to be present. Rhiannon Giddens immediately captivated the audience with her powerful and evocative voice, showcasing her deep appreciation for the roots of American music. Accompanied by a stellar ensemble, Giddens demonstrated her prowess on a variety of instruments, including the banjo and fiddle, infusing each song with authenticity and passion. The chemistry among the musicians was palpable, creating a seamless fusion of sounds that resonated with the audience. The opening song was an instrumental song called “Following the North Star”, which allowed Giddens to show off her clawhammer banjo style, which recently made it to one of Beyoncé's recent singles, as she proudly mentioned. One of the highlights of the evening was Giddens' ability to intertwine historical narratives with her music, providing context and depth to each song, starting with a joke calling Brussels “a small town”, laughing at Spotify and encouraging the audience to buy her merchandise, to more sobbing stories related to the broken system in US, like the one of a guy who was falsely accused for stealing, ended up in prison at 15 years old, and after 3 years when he got out, he took his own life. Her storytelling between songs added a layer of intimacy, inviting the audience to connect not only with the music but also with the rich cultural heritage embedded in each composition. We even had the pleasure to listen to a couple of Creole songs, like “Dimanche après-midi,” that were sung in French. Turissi also had his short moment to show off speaking in French and a bit of Dutch, to introduce some Forró to the night. Even the small break that the artist explain that was needed following a recent vocal chords surgery that she underwent last year, didn’t kill the joyful vibe that went on throughout the performance.
Woensdag 14 februari 2024, Ancienne Belgique (Brussel, BE) | Foto's & tekst: Cristina Vergara