Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka enchant the Paramount

Brittany Howard and Michael Kiwanuka brought their joint tour across the U.S. to the Paramount Theater. Supporting Howard‘s second solo album What Now and much anticipated Kiwanuka‘s fourth record Small Changes dropping November 21st. Both of them have a timeless talent that complements the other, easily seen on stage. Their performances in Seattle were mesmerizing and transported the audience to another place.

I honestly knew more about and came for Howard; the Alabama Shakes leading lady. Even though that looks like it’s dissipated the band still holds a special place for me as I discovered the power of Howard’s voice and talent. I was pleasantly surprised by what I heard from Kiwanuka‘s set before she took the stage.

Kiwanuka sounds like the sun. “Love and Hate” was memorable in how the melody he hummed (badundudundundadun), the piano and strings intertwined, rhythmic acoustic strums, washing over you and …. it hit so deep. It hit deep. Beautiful arrangement. His performance was so overwhelming beautiful we could easily see why this tour was planned. The two artists have so much soul and charisma, they are the perfect combo to be paired together.

The Paramount is my choice venue whenever possible. It’s the place you go to see a show, I mean a show. A classical theatre, high ceilings, seats all the way up to the stage decorated with magnificent details that would make any venue designer jealous. It’s my favorite venue because when you cry profusely no one bats an eye.

It’s so easy to get stuck in our minds, ruminating on things like expectations, comparisons, and existing outside our bodies. We are so repressed in our own selves, to a point of not even recognizing how distant we’ve been. It’s not often something gets my undivided attention, I’m so glad it was this show.

I have an admiration for the contemporary soul and funk music my mother used to play when I was growing up. It’s simple in the sense that it has all of the ingredients it needs, and the list isn’t long.  Hearing Howard belt her soul into her lyrics just feels right, natural, I see all of the things that I fell in love with emulate with ease.

People stood into the walkways; people got up in their seats to dance with their parties. One person in particular was so in sync with Howard in their reactions and memory of her music it was reverberating from them.

Howard’s set design set reflected a meadow in a valley surrounded by mountains. It seemed like a simple background, but the careful changes made it a part of the show and it stood out. Throughout the show, the sun faded into a sunset, that bled into northern lights. The band was on blocks setting them eye level with us. It gave modern indie dream girls vibe.

Throughout the night Howard talked through cheeky prefaces to some of her songs, about the ex she did too much for, the emotions of her relationships. The set progressed from calm and ethereal into a southern church service. She was bursting with vitality. We’re so happy we caught this magical night. These artists are at the top of their game and the energy is palpable.

Kiwanuka notable tracks: Love & Hate, Cold Little Heart, Home Again, Father’s Child.

Howard notable tracks: Stay High, I Don’t, What Now, Another Day, To Be Still, Power to Undo.