See Jon Batiste In Concert This Year

Jon Batiste is touring across North America this year. Have you seen him perform live? If not, book your concert ticket to his Uneasy tour in a city near you. This past March, Jon delivered an electrifying performance at The Fillmore Charlotte, playing many of my favorite tunes, from “Freedom” to “I Feel Good,” and a few tunes from his latest album, World Music Radio. He majestically played nearly every instrument and danced unbridled and freely both onstage and among the audience.

 

I was privileged to both meet and witness Jon perform live at The Fillmore Charlotte on March 22, my mom’s third heavenly birthday. When Jon entered the stage, donning a sharp blue suit and guitar in hand, he reminded me of Prince in the stage lighting as he gleefully belted his first selection, “Tell the Truth,” a single from his We Are album.

Four hours prior to Jon’s concert opening, I stood in line with other guests who purchased the Worship VIP Meet and Greet Experience. Minutes before meeting Jon, I remembered my mom’s words from 2016 when I was waiting to meet a celebrity couple during their book tour: “Think about what you want to say before you meet them, A.”

Quite the contrary, I was full of emotion meeting that couple, bursting into tears after saying “hello.” So, determined to have a more coherent, joyful presentation meeting Jon, I was surprised when he greeted me with a hug after I said, “Hello, Jon.” After gifting him a copy of my poetry book, Bring Me Back Home, New Orleans, and expressing our shared New Orleans heritage and how his concert presence was an answered prayer, we both smiled for the photographer.

If you have ever witnessed one of Jon’s performances—either his Grammy performances, one of his love riots with his former band, Stay Human, or on The Late Show with Steven Colbert—you know that Jon’s performances are always electric, even when subtle. I shed my first tears at The Fillmore Charlotte when he performed “Butterfly,” one of his hit singles from his World Music Radio album, which is a beautiful tribute to his wife, Suleika.

As a fan of Jon Batiste’s music since 2015, I attest that experiencing Jon live is pure joy. He will have you grooving, vibing, reflecting, and celebrating life and the beauty of existing: the essence of staying human. True to this motto, Jon ended his concert in classic New Orleans fashion by second lining through the crowd with his bandmates while playing “I Feel Good” on his melodica, my favorite song of the evening. In his own personal fashion, Jon’s second line through the audience granted personal access to Charlotte concert-goers, including the people in the back.

Beyond being a multi-talented musician and multi-instrumentalist, Jon Batiste is the epitome of love, sharing the Light of the World with all who would listen across his interstellar airwaves.