To Whom It May Concern,
A love letter to the soul can be sung and strum as well as it can be penned and pronounced for all the world. With the rising presence of digital devices in every experience, this love letter rarely remains in the mind for long. A recent study supports that one’s brain tends to outsource their memory to technology when they become more absorbed in capturing the moment instead of living it. All of that scientific speak means that the crowds of phones and selfie sticks raised high at concerts account for a large number of lost memories. Born in Philly, Jill Scott, a three-time Grammy award winner and acclaimed neo-soul artist, returned from more than a decade of musical hiatus to inspire her beautiful people to reclaim their memories and identity.
The sidewalks of Peachtree Street overflowed with people of all ages, waiting by the bright Fox Theatre marquee sign to check-in with a special catch. That check-in door represented a new frontier for the concert experience, and this frontier was phone-free. Each person’s phone found a new home in a Yondr pouch , and strangers instantly became members of one exclusive community. Set like a modern, neo-soul musical, Scott sang a story of connection that is etched in the memories of a freely dancing and passionately chanting crowd.
Sounds of TV static and brazen brass instrumentation created a memorable reintroduction to Miss Jill Scott in her opening musical number, “Be Great”. Waves of movement overtook the full house as the brass reignited memories of a homecoming. Each set of songs was truly an act, replete with an outfit, hair, and, even, the occasional set change. After she acknowledged the power of her “Beautiful People” , she wrapped the first act with a silky rendition of “It’s Love” from her 2000 album, “Who Is Jill Scott?: Words and Sounds Vol. 1”. Her invitation to continue living and giving love sent the audience into a moment of gratitude as they hugged relatives and complimented the people on their left and right.
Scott flipped the script in Act 2 as she explored the tumult of relationships and the pressures of staying true to oneself in “Pay U on Tuesday” and “Pressha”. Even though the songs were deep, the atmosphere was light as Scott continually called back to the importance of community, cherishing memories, and love. Her message could not have rang more clearly as she invited her son to the stage for a duet on “BPOTY” . As the rich rap and spoken word settled, Scott’s background singer trio, the FREEMAN, sent the audience to a land of soulful harmonies and barbershop tunes before the upcoming final act.
Numbers and formulas overtook the back screen as Scott reemerged to sing “The Math” . Her vocals snuck throughout the theatre and invited the audience to question the true value of their priorities. At this point, the audience was lost in dance, tears, screams, and everything in between. Scott seemingly appeared to resolve the final note in her spirited performance of “Àṣẹ”,and the crowd went wild, beckoning for an encore. From the curtains, Miss Jill Scott came out for the last time to send her fans out on a golden note. The building shook with the persistent cheers, claps, and screams of a standing ovation. Out of the theatre, the audience spewed back onto Peachtree Street with protected memories, lots of love, and plenty of stories to tell their friends and family on the way home. Somehow, without a phone, golden memories shined brighter, and this new kind of experience remained unforgettable and fresh.
Sincerely,
Genesis Strother
SCAD Atlanta Radio