Live Review + Photos: Tinashe at Terminal 5

Dylan Landay February 14th, 2024 - 10:00 AM

Tinashe didn’t just play Terminal 5 – she claimed it. With the bravado of a seasoned superstar and the restless energy of an artist still hungry for more, she tore through a setlist that crackled with emotional voltage and sonic experimentation.

She led with attitude. “Treason” was a declaration of independence, setting the stage for a night where Tinashe would play by her own damn rules. From the slinky vulnerability of “X” and “None of My Business” to the playful punch of “Talk to Me Nice,” she showcased a vocal range as nuanced as her songwriting. Every word dripped with cool defiance.

Tinashe isn’t one for predictability. “Life’s Too Short” burst with vibrant energy, dissolving into the dark throb of “Throw a Fit.” That whiplash shift is signature Tinashe, always blurring the lines between sugar and spice. There was the aching plea of “HMU for a Good Time,” the raw power of “Die a Little Bit,” – each song felt less like a performance and more like a glimpse into her restless soul.

Mid-show, “Stormy Weather” transformed the stage into a moody dreamscape. The downpour was metaphorical, cleansing the air for the pure pop catharsis of “Bouncin’.” If anyone doubted her dance floor magnetism, “Link Up” was the immediate cure. Her crew joined her, turning the stage into a pulsating house party.

Collaborations are part of Tinashe’s DNA. Her take on KAYTRANADA’s “The Worst in Me” was a sultry gut-punch, a glimpse of the fearless sonic territories she might explore next. She owned the bravado of “Gold Teeth,” before throwing it back with the irresistible bounce of “Rascal (Superstar).” It was a playful reminder that, beneath the intensity, Tinashe knows how to just let loose.

You can’t deny those hits. “2 On” ignited the room, leading into a string of classics. “Ghetto Boy” and “SHY GUY” showcased her effortless blend of R&B and edgy club energy. Bodies moved, sweat pooled – Terminal 5 wasn’t just a venue, it was a simmering cauldron of emotion, Tinashe the heady conductor.

As “Tightrope” soared out, it felt like a moment of collective release. She mashed “Gravity” and “Superlove,” building to a powerful, near-spiritual close. Yet, just when we thought it was over, “Needs / All Hands on Deck” was a final jolt of defiant energy, a sonic middle finger to complacency.

This wasn’t a polished pop spectacle. It was gritty, intimate, and at times gloriously messy – just like Tinashe herself. She’s an artist in relentless pursuit of evolution, unafraid to be loved, misunderstood, and above all, fiercely individual. The Terminal 5 crowd? We’re just lucky to witness the ride.

Setlist

1.Treason

2.X

3.None of My Business

4.Talk to Me Nice

5.Life’s Too Short

6.Throw a Fit

7.HMU for a Good Time

8.Die a Little Bit

9.Stormy Weather

10.Bouncin

11.Link Up