Fresh off the release of his latest album Fix Your Face, Jamaican-American musician Masego headlined a night at Boston’s House of Blues, bringing a healthy dose of danceable R&B to a humid, late August night. 

Before his 2023 show (also at House of Blues), I hadn’t really heard of Masego, but attended the show on a whim. His stage presence, ability to veer between vocals and saxophone, as well as the enthusiasm he garnered from the audience all combined for a memorable night, making my job as a photographer easy. But this performance – while still providing an entertaining night out – felt a little more muted. 

Clad in a vibrant orange Adidas track jacket and olive green cargo pants, Masego delivered a performance that was satisfying musically but felt a step down in spectacle from his last time in town. The tiered stage design made him feel far from his band and didn’t seem to provide much room for the singer to explore when he sang with mic-in-hand. While he was still active on the saxophone, it felt like less of a fixture this time around. 

For someone who plays most of the instruments when recording his studio albums, Masego’s versatility wasn’t as clearly on display here as it has been in the past. The dull LED lighting at House of Blues didn’t provide much favor, but the lackluster set design made for odd sight lines to the band. 

Overall, nothing was bad, but everything could have been a little more, especially having seen the talent on display previously. Longtime fans of Masego shouldn’t miss him, but he has the talent to deliver something a little more special.