Seeing Snoh Aalegra sell out Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall as a headlining act was iconic to both herself and her dedicated fan base. Just a couple years prior, Snoh was introduced to the Toronto crowd as the opener for Daniel Caesar‘s 5 consecutive shows at the same venue. It was quite the full-circle moment to see her now sell out the venue on her own. This show treated fans to quite the experience as it showed the transition of the up-and-coming Swedish singer into global icon.
To warm things up, the show started with sets from openers Giveon and Baby Rose. They both had something interesting to offer. Giveon hummed smooth melodic R&B ballads that had the crowd engaged and interested. Baby Rose’s voice stunned just about everybody in the audience. Her powerful ability to portray emotion is second to none. None of these opening slots were considered a simple passing of time, but rather, were integral parts to Snoh’s show in its entirety.
Everything about Snoh’s set was perfectly crafted. It cleverly began with “Here Now (Intro)” which showcased her band’s ability and dramatically set the perfect presence for her to come out. She then walked on stage to “Nothing Burns Like the Cold” which is a song that is carried by her vocals, rather than by heavy production. Coming out to this was intelligible as it showcased her voice. Hearing her raw voice in person — without anything overpowering it — showed the fans what they paid for. Her voice live sounds almost identical to her recorded songs, a quality which few musicians can boast.
On top of her outstanding sonic ability, the time and effort that Snoh and her team put into the visual aspect of the show was impeccable. This show quite literally perfected the use of stage fog. It is important to note that stage fog is very difficult to implement. It is easy for the fog to become overwhelming or simply displace the focal point that should be placed on the musician. However, in this instance, the fog perfectly surrounded Snoh and amplified her presence. The contrast of Snoh’s sparkling dress with the fog surrounding her was nothing short of remarkable. This created an image as memorable as her voice.
The highlight of the set was definitely Snoh’s live rendition of “Toronto”. While the emotional ballad does not specifically name-drop Toronto, the crowd appreciated the title and recognition placed on the city. It felt special and resonated with the 1500 members in the audience. Simply put, there was something special about hearing “Toronto” in Toronto.
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Ultimately, Snoh Aalegra’s performance felt like a contemporary rendition of old-school R&B. Snoh stylistically incorporates the artists that she cites as influences — all the way from Stevie Wonder to Amy Winehouse — whilst maintaining the integrity of her own voice. On stage, this translates to ballads that carry elements of nostalgia yet feel fresh and original. Melodic Magazine is excited to see how Snoh’s career will continue to progress in the future.
There are a still a couple of dates remaining for Snoh’s tour and Melodic Magazine definitely recommends you to check them out. Tickets can be purchased here.
To keep up with Snoh, check out her Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
