Omar Apollo wowed fans with his ethereal set at Seaport’s Leader Bank Pavilion. Earlier this year, Apollo released his sophomore album, God Said No, before embarking on a global tour of the same name. His debut album, Ivory, established him as a soulful pop powerhouse, with the viral single “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me at All)” earning the ranking of Rolling Stone’s 29th best song of 2022. The God Said No Tour began in Australia and was almost at its halfway point when it stopped in Boston on a lively Friday night.
A classic breezy September evening ushered fans into the open-air amphitheater. Guests strolled into the venue and subsequently into line at the merchandise stands. The shirts featured images of Apollo and the tongue and cheek “I <3 Ugly Boys” design. The energy was high, with groups of fans posing for pictures in front of the stage and the stunning ocean view behind it. Earlier that day, Apollo released the God Said No – Live EP, a 5-song sampling of the vocals he’s boasting this tour. The preshow playlist set the energetic tone for the night, with the crowd singing along to “Deli” by Ice Spice and “CUFF IT” by Beyoncé.
At 7:30 pm sharp, Malcolm Todd took the stage. He strutted out in a fitted long-sleeve black shirt and wide-leg jeans. His warm and conversational music invited the crowd to relax and enjoy the performance. Todd paused to share that it was his guitarist’s birthday before having the crowd join in singing to him. He unexpectedly played the theme song to iCarly, “Leave It All To Me,” uniting the crowd. He ended his set with his most popular song, “Roommates,” to an attentive audience. The sharp drumline and mesmerizing synth loop echoed through the venue of bobbing heads, complementing his raspy vocals. Todd thanked Apollo for having him on tour and escaped behind the stage.
Soon, the crowd began to buzz with excitement for Apollo’s arrival as a blue spotlight drifted around the white curtain on the stage. Apollo emerged from the smoke when the curtain dropped in a white ruffled long sleeve and pants, taking off the teddy coat he wore on the God Said No album cover midway through the first song. Fans in the front row shot out of their seats and rushed to the barricade to jump to the music. He immediately commanded the room with the God Said No album opener, “Be Careful With Me,” transitioning from an acoustic teardrop guitar lick intro into the electric-production heavy chorus. He frequently asked Boston to “sing along,” and the audience delivered, knowing each line. Apollo’s confidence kept the focus on him while six backup dancers in earth-toned pants and shirts performed intricate choreography. Apollo joined in, flawlessly executing the dance moves in each song, and creating a full body listening experience.
During “3 Boys” and “Petrified,” Apollo transitioned to his impressive falsetto. He easily hit the high notes across the rest of the setlist. During “While U Can,” Apollo’s dancers unrolled a sheer piece of fabric across the stage that the singer grabbed and held like a cape in the wind before dramatically pulling it behind the stage. For the rest of his set, he switched between working the stage solo and fully choreographed numbers with expressive modern movements and floor work. He effortlessly segued between songs, engaging the crowd throughout the lengthy setlist. Toward the end of the night, he delivered an emotional performance of “Evergreen (You Didn’t Deserve Me at All),” belting the lyrics. He returned for a one-song encore, performing “Go Away” from his debut album. He expressed his sincere gratitude to Boston for giving energy the whole night and singing along enthusiastically to each song.
Apollo took full advantage of the production elements available for live music. He strategically utilized dance to elevate the songs and enhance his artistry instead of distracting from it. Each movement emphasized the intricate instrumentals and basslines beneath the melody. The dynamic shapes that filled the stage created intrigue that one couldn’t help but pay attention to. The mix of upbeat, calming, and emotional ballads on the setlist displayed Apollo’s range as a singer and a songwriter. His vocals, lighting, wardrobe, and command of the crowd created a performance fans won’t soon forget. If you haven’t already, make sure to catch Omar Apollo before the God Said No Tour concludes in California this fall.
Buy tickets to the God Said No Tour here.
Check out all of Samantha’s photos from the show below.
