Actor and singer Keiynan Lonsdale just weeks after his London pride performance graced the stage at The Lower Third on 10 July 2024. The show opened with London local vocalist Latir, who showed the audience the mic was most certainly on. Latir vocals were transcendent and euphoric, almost hollowed in a sense. One can not compare any artist past or present to Latir, he has definitely carved out a musical lane of his own and will be a force to reckon with in the coming years. Latir with his guitar was accompanied by a fellow guitarist and both sent the audience to musical heaven.
After crooning a few ballads and a melodic version of “Hey Ya!” by the rap duo Outkast which garnered audience participation reminiscent of a church choir the audience was given a brief intermission whilst stage hands set the stage for Lonsdale.
Two eight foot mirrors were placed opposite of one another on the stage, at first thought to bounce light- but in reality held a deeper meaning as Keiynan’s music reflected his trials and triumphs. Lonsdale hit the stage covered up in a dark jumper (hoodie) leaving much to the anticipation. When writing these pieces I write from a perspective as an artist who happens to also be a journalist. From set design to wardrobe, song selection and dance routines one learns that every element has a meaning of great importance in producing a show.
I will take a shot in the dark here and hypothesize that the hoodie reference was him being hidden, shy and trapped in his earlier life and as the show progresses and wardrobe changes to having more self awareness, freedom and power in not only his expression, but in his art as hinted at in his song Rainbow Dragon…
“I realised I could eat some ass if I wanted to
I could smoke some grass if I wanted to
I could quit the Flash if i wanted to
Anything & everything is up to you
And that’s the truth but you be making up that it’s impossible cause you’ll be so uncomfortable but that’s okay cause you didn’t know
But now you know so
Hurry the fuck up
Wake up bitch
Wake the fuck up
And if you got a problem go and fix it, grow the fuck up…”.
The audience was invited into the diary of Lonsdale to understand how he loves, his self reflections, his hurt and his wounds through his music. With a series of dance numbers, a few wardrobe changes, a simple backing track and smidge of reverb Lonsdale treated that stage like it was his bitch and the audience like the voyeurs we were– glistening from sweat and excitement.
At one point during the show Lonsdale was singing in the dark and stopped the music to inform whoever was in charge of lights that we weren't hiding in the dark and needed that light! If there was any doubt that he was just singing along to a pre-recorded track as (no shade) many artists are doing these days, we knew at that moment the mic was on and the powerhouse vocals he was delivering were live!
Now as an artist I’ll be critical: The show in my book scores an 8. I think the stylist could have done better in the wardrobe department and set design was pretty simplistic. But he’s a new artist so I understand the monetary costs behind it. The high score is due to the fact that you can tell, not only does Lonsdale have a natural talent; but, the man is clearly taking his dance and vocal lessons seriously. He started on a show called Dance Academy back in the early 2010’s which explains his natural ability to use the space in its entirety.
Lonsdale was basically giving us Destiny's Child (original four), PussyCat Dolls and Danity Kane choreography in one. Through knockout dance routines and the ensemble changes his vocal quality never waivered. His vocal coach must be proud because from beginning to end Keiynan Lonsdale belts were powerful, his head voice and falsettos also both strong and not breathy or raspy as one would have expected so far into the show with him also dancing his ass off.
I also expected by mid show he would have tired and dodged some notes like many artists do when singing live, but he used this show to say he can do them live and an hour into his performance.
It was absolutely amazing to witness, and as an artist, a master class in studying your craft and perfecting it. Lonsdale also performed a series of songs from unreleased music, or music soon to come. So it is clear that he isn’t slowing down anytime soon. This artist/journalist for one can’t wait to see and hear what he does next. If you have an opportunity go and see his show! You’ll have fun, you’ll meet amazing people (shoutout to Rain, and her friends coming all the way from Australia) and you’ll leave inspired!
“I could quit the Flash if i wanted to
Anything & everything is up to you
And that’s the truth but you be making up that it’s impossible cause you’ll be so uncomfortable but that’s okay cause you didn’t know”