Music
Review
Review: Shaé Universe at Islington Assembly Hall, 11/10/24
After a monumental year, the neo soul singer-songwriter dazzles an eager crowd on her first-ever headline tour
“This what happens when hard work meets God-ordained talent…we are witnessing a legend in the making”. The words of the emcee introducing Shaé Universe at her London headline show may seem like the usual hyperbole we’ve grown accustomed to in the age of the stan account, but for Shaé, these words almost don’t do the R&B singer-songwriter justice. She’s had a phenomenal year, playing the biggest stages she’s ever played including DLT Brunch’s first ever R&B festival The Recipe, her first ever headline tour, and NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert. She released her album, Love’s Letter, on Valentine’s Day this year – a fitting release date for a project that is equal parts sensual as it is vulnerable, celebrating love in all its forms. And in the spirit of making history, fittingly released a deluxe version at the top of Black History Month just two weeks ago. But when she stepped onto the stage to an eager crowd of R&B enthusiasts at Islington Assembly Hall, the palpable and resounding emotion from Shaé Universe is gratitude.
Effortlessly breezing through a setlist fan favourites from both Love’s Letter and Unorthodox, Shaé performed as a seasoned veteran alongside a full band equipped with a guitarist, bassist, drummer, two keyboardists, and rounded out her warm sound with three backing singers whose vocals felt more akin to the fullness of a gospel choir. It’s almost hard to believe that this is Shaé’s first ever headline tour – just last year I watched her open for serpentwithfeet at Christine and the Queens‘ Meltdown at the Southbank Centre. The growth in just a year is so evident; Shaé’s vocal performance showcases the soulful texture in her tone, particularly during her performance of ‘Summertime’, ‘Oh, Wait…’ and ‘More Than Enough’.
It’s a show where she constantly stays true to her roots while embracing this new chapter. After starting us off with some of her Love’s Letter catalogue, she reminds us that she first gained traction posting covers of songs online. Paring back to a simple stool and accompanying guitarist on stage, Shaé performs Kanye West’s ‘Ultralight Beam’, showing off not just her incredible vocal skills and range, but her distinct ability to emote every word she sings from a sincere place. This isn’t just a cover of ‘Ultralight Beam’, this is a heartfelt display of faith – in the lyrics, in her journey, and in her new trajectory. She also performs covers of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’, and another fan favourite; D’Angelo’s ‘Untitled’. It’s important to note that the audience is singing along to every word with her – Shaé Universe really took us to church.
After her covers, it’s back to her “R&Drill” days, bringing the full band back for performances of ‘You Lose’, and my personal favourite, ‘111’ – an ode to angel numbers, to being in the right place at the right time, to being prepared for your moment. “God-ordained talent” indeed. Reinforcing the community feel of the show and her fanbase, Shaé makes sure to share the stage with special guests. She invites fellow R&B artists Madz and Kali Claire to perform their respective collaborations, ‘Slow Jamz & Wine’ and ‘Wish You Wouldn’t’, before returning to Love’s Letter for the show’s final act.
Shaé Universe’s show is punctuated with audience interaction, including serenading an audience member (real R&B is back!), and sitting on the edge of the stage to regale us with stories about how and when she wrote particular songs on the album. A personal highlight was when she talked about how she wrote ‘LOML’ about a partner at the time, then followed it with the song she wrote when she found out said partner cheated on her. She got the whole audience to boo them on her behalf.
After performing a mashup on her song ‘Passenger Princess’ with Usher‘s ‘Superstar’ as only Shaé can, she comes back to the stage for the encore – ‘Ebbs and Flows’. It’s a touching finale to an intimate headline performance, reminding us all to let go of what we can’t control and embrace our present, all while solidifying herself as a heavyweight in Black British music and history.
Find tickets to more R&B gigs and shows here.
Photo credit: Karis Beaumont
