Soulful vibes and pristine musicianship were the evening vibe on Wednesday, August 5th, in the Nation’s Capital when acclaimed talent PJ Morton’s latest tour, “Saturday Night Sunday Morning,” made a stop at the Warner Theatre. The venue was packed with fans ready to experience the delicate mix of gospel and R&B for which Morton is known. Morton was supported on the tour by DJ Arie Spins.
As an avid concert-goer, I can admit sometimes I have a tiny grimace when an artist has a DJ as their opening act. Thankfully, DJ Arie Spins treated her opening act as a spectacle. Like Morton, she grew up as a preacher’s kid and shared stories of sneaking to listen to secular music. Arie Spins’ set was an eccentric mix of hip-hop, R&B, trap, and gospel, displaying vast musical knowledge. My favorite part of the show was when she conducted a mock choir rehearsal, and the audience turned into a sing-along.
Moments later, Morton’s background singers and his bandmates made their way to the stage to applause from the audience. This tour was my third time seeing Morton live, so I was elated to hear his classics and the new material. Morton kicked things off with a strong trifecta of “Mutual,” “My Peace,” and “Good Morning.” In addition to performing selections from the recently released “Saturday Night/Sunday Morning,” Morton also dipped into selections from his albums “Paul,” “New Orleans,” and “Gospel According to PJ.”
The show was a compact ninety-minute set with the audience singing along as Morton performed fan-favorite renditions of “Please Don’t Walk Away,” “Sticking To My Guns,” “Go Thru Your Phone,” “Say So,” and “Only One.” As the night began to wind down, Morton performed a passionate version of “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” which I needed to hear as I prepare to send my son to college. The evening concluded with Morton’s cover of The Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love.”
Central to the show was Morton’s expression of faith without resorting to preaching to the audience. By the end of the night, it was evident that an artist can possess a profound connection with God while still enjoying a Saturday night. PJ Morton continues to affirm his status as a multifaceted live performer.
Final Grade: A
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