Erykah Badu played to a sold-out crowd at Atlanta’s Chastain Theater this weekend, but there was no “On and On” to be had — at least in show duration. After starting her set 50 minutes late, the time-strict venue completely cut the sound during the middle of her performance. Her fans were livid, mostly at venue staff, but to be fair, it wasn’t their fault.
It’s crystal clear to all parties involved in shows there that the amphitheater is in the middle of a wealthy residential neighborhood and by order of the city, all shows end at exactly 11 p.m. — not one minute more. Besides, the middle of her set wouldn’t have been the end, had she not taken the stage as late as she did. She looked surprised when she couldn’t hear herself anymore, had a short conversation with a member of her team, then bowed and bolted. Boos — mostly directed toward the venue’s staff — filled the night air as she exited the stage.
The evening had been near perfect before the abrupt ending. It had been raining all day, but not a drop fell during the outdoor concert. Bilal, the opener, did his thing and made way for Erykah. He ended at 8:50 p.m. and Badu was due to take the stage somewhere around 9 p.m. What makes Chastain unique is that it’s outdoors, a vintage feel with tables, and patrons are allowed to bring in food, wine and candles to enhance the atmosphere. With that, the 50 minutes between the end of Bilal’s set and Erykah Badu’s opening, included plenty to keep concertgoers occupied — Badu’s band even played for 20 minutes without her. Besides, die-hard fans know she isn’t your average bear and if she needs a little extra time to get into top creative form, it was hers. They probably would’ve been more impatient if they knew they wouldn’t hear “Window Seat” before the night ended. She finally entered the stage in regal fashion, sporting a Southern belle dress and a blond mohawk.
Short set aside, I must say that Eykah Badu is a bad girl. There are singers, then there are artists, and she definitely is the latter. She’s so incredibly self-aware and assured till her artistry finds its way past the soul, right to the bone. She’s eccentric, she’s sometimes stand-offish, but she’s real and funky as hell and put on an incredible show.
She performed “Didn’t Cha Know,” “Love of My Life,” “On and On” and many songs from New Amerykah: Part Two before she went unplugged. –gerald radford
