Live Review: Black Pumas at Radio City Music Hall

Touring their long-awaited sophomore album the Black Pumas played a packed show at Radio City Music Hall on January 19th. The band comprised of Eric Burton on vocals/guitar and Adrian Quesada on guitar. The band, who have played shows of all sizes, make it feel as though they are singing individually to each person. The band formed in 2018, Quesada was linked to the former California Santa Monica Pier busker, Burton. The show at Radio City Hall was nearly three times the size of their last, at Brooklyn Steel in 2021. The show, which was during the pandemic prohibited the artists from connecting with the audience on an intimate level, but Burton had no issue with that here. 

The band has carved out a large space for their Soul/Americana sound with many Grammy nominations for their first album Black Pumas. Among their accolades they received an invitation to virtually perform during the then President-Elect Joe Biden’s “Celebrating America” during the inauguration events, in January 2021. Their new album, Chronicles of a Diamond is sure to get follow its predecessor. The album was teased with the single “More Than a Love Song” which already has over 5 million streams on Spotify currently.  

This concert had a much different vibe than their last performance. Brooklyn Steel felt informal when compared to the larger capacity venue that is Radio City Music Hall. The performance, which lasted for about an hour and a half, more mature. The band, channeling such soul acts as Charles Bradley and Gil Scott-Heron, did just that and touched the hearts of the crowd. 

The show opened with Digital Planet, a hip-hop trio formed in the late ’80’s with origins stemming from Philadelphia and Brooklyn. The band, that disbanded in 1995 had a solid presence on stage, and seemed very confident even after their prolonged time spent off of it. With a crowd of salt and pepper sprinkled hair, the audience seemed more mature, much like the vibe of the Black Pumas new album. The Black Pumas graced the stage at 9:20 PM with the crowd standing from their seats in a rolling wave as Burton asked “Can we get down together, New York City?!” The band opened hot out of the gate with a crowd favorite “Fire” off of their first self-titled album Black Pumas. Getting comfortable on stage “Gemini Sun” started to play. Burton, the ever charismatic performer, bent over to an audience member, shaking their hand. He welcomed them to the show casually, as if greeting an old friend. After the song Burton inquired “Can we get this show on a good note?,” as “Know You Better” started to play. As the song picked up he quickly taught the audience a call and response, while instructing to “Sway with me,” which the crowd easily obliged. 

“Black moon rising” was next in the set. Burton, who continuously showed his love for the crowd went into the aisles, grabbing a fans phone to take on stage while recording the venue’s adornment. Continuing with songs from the new album Chronicles of a Diamond “Sauvignon,” led directly into “Ice Cream(Pay Phone).” For their next song “Angel,” Burton encouraged the crowd to put up their flashlights on their phones. He paid tribute to his humble beginning playing “From the subway’s to the Music Hall.” In sticking with the theme of a call and response Burton had the crowd chant “Fly together,” as “More Than a Love Song” started to play. “Confines,” “Mrs. Postman,” and “October 33” were next in the set. Finishing out the main course of the show was the song “Colors,” which has over 100 million streams on Spotify. 

The band exited the stage as the crowd cheered for and encore for 5 full minutes until Burton appeared out of an opera box with a spotlight on him and guitar in hand. Known for his rendition of “Fast Cars” by Tracy Chapman he gave the audience what they wanted in all its glory. Burton, and the rest of the band returned to the stage to finish off the show with “Rock and Roll,” with Burton saying he would be meeting fans at the merch booth after the show, upon which he kept up on his deal. 

Setlist

1. Fire
2. Gemini Sun
3. Know You Better
4. Black Moon Rising
5. Sauvignon
6. Ice Cream(Pay Phone)
7. Angel
8. More Than a Love Song
9. Confines
10. Mrs. Postman
11. OCT 33
12. Colors

Encore

13. Fast Cars (Tracey Chapman cover)
14. Rock and Roll