Live: Maxwell's BLACKSummersNight tour, Toronto, Sept. 25

Photo by sophistiphunk


The ear-piercing screams that greeted Maxwell as he assumed centre stage at the opening night of the BLACKSummersNight tour are usually the type that might be directed at the latest teenage heart-throb sensations, but it was clear from the beginning of this show that we were clearly dealing with a veteran presence.

Opening the show with a fluid medley of “Dancewitme” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin’” from his debut album with deft backing from his 10-piece band, Maxwell’s ever-smiling visage was projected in black and white on huge screens on both sides of the stage to denote a sense of timelessness; an effect heightened by the throwback sartorial flair of the band.

Given the top-notch nature of his band which included acclaimed jazz musician Robert Glasper, it was a shame that they weren’t given more rope to flex their individual skills. But it was the opening night of the tour and given Maxwell was being constantly distracted with his ear device, it was clear they will probably execute even better shows as the tour progresses.

Within this framework, Maxwell used the space in the large Air Canada Centre well. A runway stage that stretched out to both sides of the floor seats fostered a sense of initimacy with fans, which they giddily took advantage of by excitedly grabbing at his feet and grasping his outstretched hands. Apparently this was not close enough for one lady, who decided to walk purposefully across the stage and stand next to the singer as he began to sing his cover of Kate Bush’s “This Woman’s Work” before she was ushered away by a band guitarist, eliciting widespread laughter while Maxwell delivered one of his more heartfelt readings in a surreal moment.

Indeed, Maxwell, much like support act Common, knows what his female fan base wants and he exploited every body movement for maximum effect with lithe dance moves, splits, crawling across the floor, and popping up from underneath the stage in different spots all being part of the repoitoire. He even strutted down the stage wearing a chain of fan-bestowed panties around his neck during “Cold.”

However, as he began to talk to the crowd, his hoarse voice was evident and he revealed to the crowd in the three-quarters full venue that he considered cancelling the show. To his credit, he battled on gamely and tellingly hoisted the microphone in the air as a signal to the crowd to sing the lyrics intermittently during the show perhaps when he doubted his own ability to do so on tracks like “Pretty Wings” delivered replete with white paper feathers cascading onto the crowd below.

The one moment when the crowd really joined in unison was during the encore of “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wander)” singing the entire first verse accapella before his band took over. At that point, it looked like Maxwell didn’t want to leave the stage, yet he and the band had nothing left to do except pass the microphone for each band member to introduce themselves.

While deferring well-earned credit to his band, it was the one slightly awkward moment in an otherwise professionally delivered show, where Maxwell seemed like the giddy newcomer rather than the seasoned and polished performer he proved he clearly is.