I saw Keshi for the first time in 2021. At the time, he was opening for LANY at a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall. I still remember soon after walking into Radio City, hearing fans gathered for a LANY show, but KE-SHI, KE-SHI, KE-SHI chants overtook the venue. In my review of the night, I wrote, “had there been no LANY posters or signage, you may have thought you were at a keshi concert.” I wasn’t too familiar with Keshi or his music at the time, but his vocals soared over the iconic music hall, and I dubbed him a rising star.
Fast forward to 2023, and I was back at Radio City to see Keshi play, but this time instead of playing a solo set on the giant stage, Keshi was backed by a three-piece band for back-to-back sold-out headlining shows in the 6,000+ cap venue. The artist that I wrote was a rising star only continues to soar through the sky. Ear-shattering screams replaced the Ke-Shi chants of 2021 as Keshi took the stage as the lights and video screen and lights flickered, which was another notable evolution from the 2021 concert. At that show, Keshi performed solo on a dark Radio City stage with no more production than a high school talent show, but the minimalism allowed Keshi’s vocals to shine in a larger-than-life fashion. Now, as the headliner, Keshi was accompanied by a talented band and impressive visuals with lighting, coloring, and a video screen.
Right out of the gate, Keshi kicked off his electric set with ‘Get It,’ ‘less of you,’ and ‘SOMEBODY.’ Each song getting more and more applause. Something that Keshi seemed to take note of when he greeted the crowd by saying, “New York! I know exactly what songs you want to hear.” A statement that was true but stuck with me throughout the night.
There was a clear evolution in the production of Keshi’s show. The 28-year-old artist also took visible strides with his presence on stage. An element that was already distinct but only continues to grow at an impressive rate. With that, it’s hard to say that I noticed an evolution in Keshi sonically. Not that he particularly needs one. He is a star. But the idea that he exclaimed that he knew exactly what the audience wanted to hear lingered, and after seeing my second Keshi show and the fact that he sold out back-to-back nights at a dream venue shows he has the support of his fans to experiment a bit with his sound or style. I’d love to see what stepping outside of that could look and sound like for Keshi.
However, while I mention that as a qualm of the night, there was virtually no lull in his entire set, each song was tremendous. The fans loved it more and more. He thanked the crowd for selling the place out. When he played the beginning notes of ‘beside you’ the roof almost blew off the venue. He played unreleased songs for the first time and taught fans a call and response to the catchy track.
But my highlight of the night came from the rare moment of spontaneity. So much of his performance had a giant and composed swagger on stage, but at one point, Keshi was overcome with emotion. He had just played ‘i swear i’ll never leave again’ on his acoustic guitar with over 5000 iPhone spotlights shining onto him on stage. A powerful performance and moment for Keshi and the fans that he followed up ‘Skeletons.’
He sang the vulnerable lyrics of “Feelin’ lost and I don’t what to do now, What I chose ain’t really gonna work out” and ended up interrupting the song and explaining to the crowd the origin of the song. He described writing this song after a fight that he had with his father. Keshi was working as an oncology nurse while dreaming of starting a music career when he had a fight with his dad. His dad felt he wasn’t appreciative of the opportunity that they (his parents) gave to him as immigrants, and his dad didn’t understand his dream of being a musician. To which Keshi describes telling his dad, “I want to shoot for the fucking stars.”
The story and dismount were met by a loud ovation from the entire music hall, but more than that as he finished performing the rest of ‘Skeletons’ and the lyrics ‘I don’t even know I’m gonna make it’ was a powerful moment to hear lyrics like that on the stage he was on. Keshi has made it. In his attempt to shoot for the stars, he landed on one that I assume he had never even dreamed of. He had 6000+ people screaming his name, singing his lyrics, and even crying from the emotion, he cultivated through his art and story. Art that not only helped him get from the moment of despair writing skeletons but creating a deeper catalog to help an entire fan base.
I wonder if Keshi would say that he has reached the star he was shooting for in his bedroom. One thing that was visibly evident is that he is a star that only continues to ride. It’s those moments of vulnerability and spontaneity from him where things didn’t feel so formulaic and even rehearsed that I felt closest to his performance, and I hope we can see more of that in Keshi’s music to come.
I saw Keshi for the first time in 2021. At the time, he was opening for LANY at a sold-out show at Radio City Music Hall. I still remember soon after walking into Radio City, hearing fans gathered for a LANY show, but KE-SHI, KE-SHI, KE-SHI chants overtook the venue. In my review of the night, I wrote, “had there been no LANY posters or signage, you may have thought you were at a keshi concert.” I wasn’t too familiar with Keshi or his music at the time, but his vocals soared over the iconic music hall, and I dubbed him a rising star.
Fast forward to 2023, and I was back at Radio City to see Keshi play, but this time instead of playing a solo set on the giant stage, Keshi was backed by a three-piece band for back-to-back sold-out headlining shows in the 6,000+ cap venue. The artist that I wrote was a rising star only continues to soar through the sky. Ear-shattering screams replaced the Ke-Shi chants of 2021 as Keshi took the stage as the lights and video screen and lights flickered, which was another notable evolution from the 2021 concert. At that show, Keshi performed solo on a dark Radio City stage with no more production than a high school talent show, but the minimalism allowed Keshi’s vocals to shine in a larger-than-life fashion. Now, as the headliner, Keshi was accompanied by a talented band and impressive visuals with lighting, coloring, and a video screen.
Right out of the gate, Keshi kicked off his electric set with ‘Get It,’ ‘less of you,’ and ‘SOMEBODY.’ Each song getting more and more applause. Something that Keshi seemed to take note of when he greeted the crowd by saying, “New York! I know exactly what songs you want to hear.” A statement that was true but stuck with me throughout the night.
There was a clear evolution in the production of Keshi’s show. The 28-year-old artist also took visible strides with his presence on stage. An element that was already distinct but only continues to grow at an impressive rate. With that, it’s hard to say that I noticed an evolution in Keshi sonically. Not that he particularly needs one. He is a star. But the idea that he exclaimed that he knew exactly what the audience wanted to hear lingered, and after seeing my second Keshi show and the fact that he sold out back-to-back nights at a dream venue shows he has the support of his fans to experiment a bit with his sound or style. I’d love to see what stepping outside of that could look and sound like for Keshi.
However, while I mention that as a qualm of the night, there was virtually no lull in his entire set, each song was tremendous. The fans loved it more and more. He thanked the crowd for selling the place out. When he played the beginning notes of ‘beside you’ the roof almost blew off the venue. He played unreleased songs for the first time and taught fans a call and response to the catchy track.
But my highlight of the night came from the rare moment of spontaneity. So much of his performance had a giant and composed swagger on stage, but at one point, Keshi was overcome with emotion. He had just played ‘i swear i’ll never leave again’ on his acoustic guitar with over 5000 iPhone spotlights shining onto him on stage. A powerful performance and moment for Keshi and the fans that he followed up ‘Skeletons.’
He sang the vulnerable lyrics of “Feelin’ lost and I don’t what to do now, What I chose ain’t really gonna work out” and ended up interrupting the song and explaining to the crowd the origin of the song. He described writing this song after a fight that he had with his father. Keshi was working as an oncology nurse while dreaming of starting a music career when he had a fight with his dad. His dad felt he wasn’t appreciative of the opportunity that they (his parents) gave to him as immigrants, and his dad didn’t understand his dream of being a musician. To which Keshi describes telling his dad, “I want to shoot for the fucking stars.”
The story and dismount were met by a loud ovation from the entire music hall, but more than that as he finished performing the rest of ‘Skeletons’ and the lyrics ‘I don’t even know I’m gonna make it’ was a powerful moment to hear lyrics like that on the stage he was on. Keshi has made it. In his attempt to shoot for the stars, he landed on one that I assume he had never even dreamed of. He had 6000+ people screaming his name, singing his lyrics, and even crying from the emotion, he cultivated through his art and story. Art that not only helped him get from the moment of despair writing skeletons but creating a deeper catalog to help an entire fan base.
I wonder if Keshi would say that he has reached the star he was shooting for in his bedroom. One thing that was visibly evident is that he is a star that only continues to ride. It’s those moments of vulnerability and spontaneity from him where things didn’t feel so formulaic and even rehearsed that I felt closest to his performance, and I hope we can see more of that in Keshi’s music to come.