Shine On

On Saturday, I was at The Velvet Underground for two high-energy and eclectic musicians. First up was Tunde Olaniran, a Flint-based singer who often frequents the Detroit scene as well. He had two banners spelling out: "Be Brave, Be Kind, Be Vulnerable". Over the course his set, Olaniran and his two dancers played an uplifting set full of affirmative dance music. The songs mixed singing, trap, and even Outkast-esque rap verses into joyful numbers. He was a giant, whirling force on stage and converted numerous skeptics.

Shara Nova was a more diminutive figure physically, but she was even more intense. She started her set singing her way on stage to It's Me On The Dance Floor, wrapped in a boxer's robe. Underneath was a glamorous, glittery top and shorts. Later on, she thanked the crowd for following her "into space" because every My Brightest Diamond album was different. That experimentation was evident throughout the night from dance-pop, to musical theatre, to quiet ballads. But all the songs had insightful commentary whether personal or societal. Her furious elegy to Trayvon Martin (You Wanna See My Teeth) complete with segue to I Want Candy and her encore number about racial privilege (White Noise) were particularly biting. Nova spent most the set either on the keys or engaging her fans with singing and hand choreography, but she also ripped out a few chords and licks on her guitars; through it all was her voice with its huge range. Meanwhile, the talented Jharis Yokley kept things tight and propulsive on drums. His was one of the most impressive drumming I've seen. You know it was a special show when you see new fans buying the entire catalogue.