Solange has taken to the stage for the first time in nine months, making a landmark live return right in our own backyard.
In her first Aussie tour date for VIVID Live at Sydney’s iconic Opera House, Beyonce’s lil sis opened her heart to the crowd, telling them “There was honestly a lot of moments where I didn’t think that I would ever be able to be on stage again.”
Back in December, the singer revealed her secret struggles with an autonomic disorder, which she’d been “quietly treating” for months, after it forced her to pull out of several live dates.
And the fact that she’s overcome such huge obstacles to make the trip down under was something that made her captivating Vivid LIVE debut even more significant for everyone in attendance.
“This is my first time on stage since last October.” Solange told the crowd.
“I couldn’t be more honoured to have this breakthrough with you tonight – it means so much to me. This place is glorious… times must be a-changin’. It’s an honour – thank you Vivid!”
Solange filled the Opera House’s iconic Concert Hall with her superb voice and unique aesthetic, performing key tracks from her acclaimed A Seat at the Table LP, as well as old faves from her back catalogue, while the crowd sang and swayed along.
Sol also gave Destiny’s Child alum and fellow singer Kelly Rowland — who FYI was in the bloody building (!!) — a heartfelt nod, saying: “Shoutout to Kelly for nurturing me.”
It comes after she shook off some minor pre-show dramz over concerns that 40 of her production extras weren’t getting paid, with her rep confirming the claims were simply a “misunderstanding”, and assuring the media that all of Solange’s performers would be appropriately compensated for their time.
Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Music and Vivid LIVE Curator, Ben Marshall, frothed last night’s performance, saying Solange is “having her moment on the world stage right now”.
“With A Seat at the Table’s exploration of black American identity, empowerment and the complexities of black womanhood, she is at the molten-hot intersection of effortlessly cool music and thoughtful activism,” he said.
“Solange’s brilliance in combining spectacular performance with politically-charged music to create a precisely choreographed, fun and riveting neo-soul show, points to the future of R&B. She is the artist 2018 needs.”
Solange’s Vivid LIVE Sydney Opera House residency continues tonight. Catch all the details here, or peep some of the footage from last night’s spellbinding show below.
.@solangeknowles on returning to the stage for the first time since October: “There was honestly a lot of moments where I didn’t think that I would ever be able to be on stage again.” pic.twitter.com/ftsRtlapY1
— Tom Williams (@tom__williams) June 1, 2018
Solange also admitted she was hesistant about returning to the stage, and gave @KELLYROWLAND (who was in the building) a shout-out: “Shout-out to Kelly for nurturing me.” pic.twitter.com/Ganup7v52C
— Tom Williams (@tom__williams) June 1, 2018
