Chicago’s Jamila Woods took the stage at the Masquerade in a red hoodie cut up to cover only her arms, revealing a green brassiere below. Wearing high-waisted jeans and white sneakers, she spent much of the evening swaying languorously from side to side. Woods didn’t move much throughout her performance, but instead focused on engaging with the audience in what turned out to be an intimate and captivating set.

Woods’ live band included her drummer with a white t-shirt bearing the track titles from her latest LP, LEGACY! LEGACY!, each of which references a person of color who has influenced her journey. His drum set was adorned with different colored flags as he flashed big smiles throughout the 90-minute performance. To his right were the other members of the band who ably backed the singer-songwriter with deep grooves that shifted seamlessly from spry and energetic to ambient and immersive.

In the middle of the stage, a tall, thin, vertical cube-shaped rectangle with holographic lettering cast off phrases like “I AM NOT YOUR TYPICAL GIRL,” “I’M THE TRUTH,” “I’M A FACT,” “I GAVE YOU THE COOL YOU CAN’T FAKE IT,” and “MY WINGS ARE GREATER THAN WALLS.” These politically and socially-charged statements provided meaningful context for much of Woods’ songs, as her buttery, soulful tenor rang up to the rafters. It must be difficult to find that balance in popular music when much of your subject matter is steeped on pain, anger, and oppression. Difficult but vitally necessary. That may best sum up Woods’ contribution to the current pop and R&B landscape—a willingness to marry her rich, expansive music with pointed political commentary that feels bold and timely.

Woods reserved her discography’s diamond “Holy” for the end of the set, eliciting fervent applause from the crowd. And just like that she was gone, knowing she had 14 more dates to play on the tour before presumably going back into the studio to seek out that next level.

Click an image to enlarge.

All photos © Copyright 2019 Wildy Civil. You can connect with him on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or via his website, Civil Creations.

More Info
Web: jamila-woods.com
Facebook: @jamilawoodsofficial
Instagram: @jamilawoods
SoundCloud: @jamilawoods
Twitter: @jamilawoods