JMSN w/ Guest Snoh Aalegra at Alexander Gastown
Written by: Racquel Villagante
Photos by: Taylor Friginette
(Mon. June 20, 2016)
Vancouver, BC – It was a rare summer solstice + full moon evening, and Alexander Gastown was lit. The fact that it was a Monday night seemed irrelevant. The club was buzzing with a palpable cosmic energy and excitement for what the night would bring.
Miss Aalegra stunningly took to the stage in a sparkly grey crop top, black mod miniskirt, and black patent leather thigh high boots. She gestured: “Come closer. Dont be shy.” Following her command, audience members poured down the stairs into the lower level of the club. Snoh’s mesmerizing stage presence coupled with her smoky, sultry vocals on “In Your River” and “Hope” completely captivated the crowd.
Against a backdrop of red lighting and dark shadows, Snoh’s performance of “Don’t Explain” transformed the club into an Old Hollywood film noir. “Chaos” and “Under The Influence” boasted Snoh’s vocal prowess and proved herself a true diva songstress reincarnated from eras past. Once Snoh thanked JMSN for having her on tour with him, a restless energy took over the room. The people were ready to see their R&B messiah.
Fans perched eagerly over Alexander’s balconies. Cheers erupted from all levels as soon as JMSN and his band came into sight. Running onto the stage in a white and red-trimmed bomber jacket and a tambourine in hand, JMSN kicked off his set with “Power”, from his newest album, It is. JMSN continued to serenade and seduce his way into fans’ hearts with his smooth, soulful vocals on “Ends (Money)” and “Bout It”. JMSN’s signature dance moves—a distinctive combination of salsa and sashay—gave headway for the crowd to groove and grind without self-consciousness.
His bandmates, dressed in all black, revealed an astounding level of musical mastery, and JMSN made a point to introduce and extend a solo spotlight to each one of them. The spotlight was shining particularly bright on bass player, Taiki, who continued to play with a broken string. There was clearly no stopping the magic on this evening. Midway through his set, JMSN threw out to the audience “So who’s been with JMSN since Priscilla?” (his 2012 debut album). Fanboys standing in the front row let out a howl and one fan in particular proudly waved his vinyl in the air to which JMSN exclaimed, “Oh wow! There it is! That’s an old one!”. There was no doubt about it, diehard JMSN fans were present.
The entire club sang along to every lyric of the bluesy break-up ballad, “Most of All”. JMSN showcased his immaculate guitar skills on “Street Sweeper”, dramatically dropping down to the floor, sending each riff ringing into the night. The beat and the vibe began to pick up on reggae jam “Hypnotize”. “Funk Outta Here” undeniably roused the most crowd participation when JMSN granted permission to yell an expletive in place of “Funk”. During what appeared to be the finale of the set, the audience was lifted to R&B heaven as JMSN crooned on what was undoubtedly the most anticipated song of the night, “Cruel Intentions”.
The fans did not want the night end there. A resounding encore beckoned JMSN and his band back to stage. More surprises were in store. JMSN’s keyboardist pulled out the saxophone and soloed like no tomorrow. The bass player (still missing a string) and the electric guitar player wowed the crowd while playing and singing on “Love Again” (the Ta-ku & Sango collab). JMSN busted out his popular Sango hit of 2013, “Affection”, to which the crowd went wild. There was no shortage of talent on that stage. JMSN and his band came with all the bells and whistles and pulled out all the stops. Filing out of the club, awestruck fans unanimously agreed that it was one of the best shows they had ever seen.
HHV had a chance to ask JMSN a couple questions after the show…
Q: What do you like most about Vancouver?
A: “The crowd. The people. The energy”.
Q: What’s your advice to your fans?
A: “Do what you love, and let it kill you.”
Q: What’s your drink of choice?
A: “Jameson — of course.” (As he takes a shot of Jameson.)