When the lights go down on Miguel’s new War & Leisure tour, your suspicions are confirmed. He’s a tease. Once film flickers and fans itself out over the projector screen, we are transported to Adelanto, California, a town with “a lot of prisons, but not much opportunity.” With his call for unity ballad “Now” serving as the film’s soundtrack, Miguel is seen in the video speaking and collaborating with activist groups, a sincere expression of empathy and the will to make change upon his face. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter and producer stresses the importance of immigrant rights, as evidenced by his work with Black Alliance for Just Immigration, to which he’s donating 20% of his tour’s merchandise proceeds. It’s a carefully calibrated but impactful opening, setting the tone for what is Miguel’s most sociopolitical tour to date.

Indeed, few superstars could pull off Miguel’s balance of critical commentary and electric party atmosphere, and tonight he cuts a shadowed profile elevated above the crowd in the center of the stage. The audience erupts as he launches into “Criminal” while wearing a dark green bomber jacket, white tee, and blue leather pants, pressing up against a mic stand that’s covered in what appear to be white tassels.

“The Thrill” is next, a spacious song that settles within the room like stars splayed out across the galaxy. As he transitions into fan favorite “How Many Drinks,” he removes the mic from the stand and sheds his jacket, perspiring from the wall of lights that animate continuously behind him. Meanwhile, “Banana Clip” finds him on slinking on the stage, inching closer then ever to the audience, fully aware of his capitulations. “Sure Thing” sounds incredible, and the crowd joyfully sings along to every word. After transitioning from “Harem” into “Wolf,” Miguel changes outfits, slipping into a bright yellow shirt before lacing the set with “Do You…” Minutes later, he breaks out a guitar for “Simplethings,” a rock-driven anthem originally commissioned for the HBO show Girls.

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Later in the show, “Lotus Flower Bomb” weaves in and out of “All I Want is You,” as well as “Power Trip,” his collaboration with J. Cole. A stirring performance of “Told You So” elicits another t-shirt change (this time it’s a white mesh shirt) before segueing into “Deal,” for which he brings out Nonchalant Savant, the newest artist signed to Miguel’s label, Art Dealer Chic.

Although he keeps his political broadsides brief, they remain candid and heartfelt. “Now you understand how the lobbying system works in this country!” he bellows at one point in his set. “It’s tricky. We gotta let them know that these private corporations have influenced and infiltrated our politics in ways that manipulate the laws being passed, the policies being passed. Things like the ways we get our food, FDA, our healthcare, and what not. All you gotta do is Google. Google is our friend, know what I’m saying. Information age.”

But then it’s back to the party. He gets the crowd dancing with “Caremelo Duro” and dedicates “Come Through and Chill” to the ladies with tongue planted firmly in cheek. “Anointed” and “Pineapple Skies” close the set out, but to kickstart the encore, “Pussy is Mine” is given a roused-up, jamming rendition as is his enduring ballad “Adorn.” As midnight approaches, Miguel finally launches into the moment we’ve all been waiting for: “Sky Walker.” Yet, the impact of the song in the set’s trajectory comes too late as the first beat of the chorus leaves something to be desired. Still, by the end of the night, the show has made its character well known: socially aware when it comes to justice, but also having a good fucking time with its friends peace, love, and freedom.

More Info
Band: officialmiguel.com
Facebook: @miguelmusic
Instagram: @miguel
SoundCloud: @miguel
Twitter: @Miguel