Concert Review: Black Pumas return to The Music City for a truly unforgettable night
By: Dylan Basden
Out in support of their sophomore studio album, Chronicles of a Diamond, Black Pumas continue to propel themselves forward, refusing to see their growth peak. The duo, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Eric Burton and guitarist/producer Adrian Quesada, formed in 2017 and have seen near consistent praise at every level, a sentiment I echo. This was hands down one of the best shows I have seen in years. This was night two of two packed nights at The Ryman and the second night of the group’s North American tour. Fans travelled from as far as New York City, British Columbia, and even Australia for this performance.
Vocally you could not ask for a much better front man than Eric Burton. There is so much control in his voice. “More Than a Love Song” is an incredible example of this, as Burton effortlessly flows from a huge and dominant falsetto into a lower, rumbling juxtaposition. His voice is distinctive and yet timeless, drawing on R&B contemporaries from the 70s & 80s while continuing to bring his own unique flare to his performance.
Adrian Quesada is a talent on the guitar. I would pay to go see just him play. You can very clearly see where Black Puma’s sound flows, as Adrian directs the band through the concoction of genres in their repertoire, R&B, soul, rock, psychedelic, Americana, and so much more. There is so much intricacy in Quesada’s playing, notably on “Touch the Sky” Adrian really highlights his picking, adding a warm, rootsy layer upon the R&B groove of the track.
Eric Burton could teach a master class in crowd work. His grasp over the crowd was like watching a potter mold clay—the audience was putty in his hand, swelling and contorting to his every command. Burton drug the back stained-glass wall of the Mother Church closer to the stage, turning the theater into an intimate room with his presence. He was unafraid to united down in the crowd, walking the lower pews, clasping hands with audience members from the stage, and swinging with fans rather than just to them. The music flowed through Eric and in turn right into the crowd.
The Pumas’ backing band is downright incredible. The band was tight and their skill immediately spoke for itself. The compositions were tastefully complex, maintaining a high fidelity while letting the groove and overall energy of the music take center stage. The percussion section, made up of a full kit plus additional congas, were punchy where they needed to be and delicate in others. “Know you Better” comes to mind, dipping and diving from more intimate taps and snare into bombastic swells with very little time between phases. It would also be criminal not to speak to the band’s keys player. Bouncing between piano, organ, and synthesizer, JaRon Marshall showcased talent that you would be hard pressed to match. Additionally, backing vocalists Angela Miller and Lauren Cervantes were simultaneously perfect foils to Burton’s lead vocals and an absolute joy to watch over on stage right.
I feel I don’t often get to talk in depth about artist’s encores—often I think it is best to leave it as a surprise. That is not the case for Black Pumas, and this is certainly a show you should not try and beat the crowds out of the door on. Coming back out to the slapping of pews, Eric Burton returned with a solo rendition of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” Sitting along the edge of the stage with only a hollow body electric, Burton’s soulful voice, characterized by his distinctively (and oxymoronically) smooth rasp, carried so much weight as it filled the halls of the Ryman. The acoustics of the room really helped to amplify the natural warmth of Burton’s vocals. To close the night, the rest of the band reconvened for a deep cut off of Chronicles, “Rock and Roll.” A slow burning, slightly off-kilter track that features jangly synths and a roaring guitar, the song eventually culminates into a cathartic cacophony of instruments fighting for space. A mind-boggling end to a mind-boggling night.
I get to go to many, many concerts. To a certain degree it has become a routine: I go to a show, I take some photos, and I write an article. I’ve been very lucky to see so many fantastic shows because of this. For most folks this is not the case, this show may be the only show half this audience goes to this year. For some it may be their first ever show. That holds a lot of weight, I imagine most people recall deeply intimate memories of their first ever concert. Black Pumas managed to ignite that same feeling in me, this show felt like seeing live music for the first time again. Musically and performatively the band managed to dredge up feelings that have been dormant to some degree for the past few years. I personally will not be missing another Black Pumas show and I advise you do the same.
Check out the full live gallery shot by Dylan here.