Photos by Vito Ingerto
You couldn’t tell from the packed venue that it was H.E.R.’s first trip to Minneapolis, but the Armory crowd welcomed the Grammy winning R&B phenom with open arms on Friday night. The multitalented artist, who’s given name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, is on the road supporting her latest release Back Of My Mind.
DJ Peter Parker got the party started spinning tunes both old and new that had the crowd bouncing while they waited for the show to start. The first performer up on the stage was a singer named Blakely. I was told, but can’t confirm, that he is part of H.E.R.’s band. He was accompanied by an acoustic guitarist and sang with a soulful vibe. We weren’t permitted to photograph Blakely.
Next up was a set by singer Ajanee. While she started her career as a Gospel singer, her set Friday night was full of Hip Hop and R&B energy. She has been a part of H.E.R.s entourage for years, and her maturity showed as she commanded the stage like a pro. Side note, both Blakely and Ajanee were called up, and did an awesome job, because original opener Marzz fell ill.
By the time H.E.R. hit the stage around 8:45, the crowd in the Armory was primed and ready. The lights went down and the screams went up. She opened up the show emerging from an animated wall, resplendent in purple, and broke into a stomping version of the DJ Khaled tune “We Going Crazy” The audience took that literally, and showered the stage with love. H.E.R. spent the tune on a pedestal bathed in pastel lights. She came down off of the platform and close to the audience as she danced around the stage for “Slide” and “I Can Have It All”
H.E.R. just dominated the room Friday night. To call her just a R&B artist would definitely sell her short. She put on a true rock and roll show Friday night. At one point a drum kit was brought on stage and H.E.R. performed a drum solo the would have made John Bonham stand up and cheer. Donning a guitar, she Jammed out on the Lenny Kravitz tune “Are You Gonna Go My Way” from on top of the video wall, joining her back up band on the perch. But the highlight of the evening was the shred filled “Purple Rain” Lots of artists come through the twin cities and its almost obligatory for them to perform a Prince song. Most of the time it’s less than successful. H.E.R.’s version “Purple Rain” was soulful, emotional and had the entire Armory singing in unity. It was definitely a transcendent moment.
H.E.R.’s first trip to Minneapolis was a triumphant success, let’s hope she comes back soon.
You couldn’t tell from the packed venue that it was H.E.R.’s first trip to Minneapolis, but the Armory crowd welcomed the Grammy winning R&B artist with open arms on Friday night. The multitalented artist, who’s given name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, is on the road supporting her latest release Back Of My Mind.
DJ Peter Parker got the party started spinning tunes both old and new that had the crowd bouncing while they waited for the show to start. The first performer up on the stage was a singer named Blakely. I was told, but can’t confirm, that he is part of H.E.R.’s bad. He was accompanied by an acoustic guitarist and sang with a soulful vibe. We weren’t permitted to photograph Blakely.
Next up was a set by singer Ajanee. While she started her career as a Gospel singer, her set Friday night was full of Hip Hop and R&B energy. She has been a part of H.E.R.s entourage for years, and her maturity showed as she commanded the stage like a pro.
By the time H.E.R. hit the stage around 8:45, the crowd in the Armory was primed and ready. The lights went down and the screams went up. She opened up the show emerging from an animated wall and broke into a stomping version of the DJ Khaled tune “We Going Crazy” The audience took that literally, and showered the stage with love. H.E.R. spent the tune on a pedestal bathed in pastel lights. She came down off of the platform and close to the audience as she danced around the stage for “Slide” and “I Can Have It All”
H.E.R. just dominated the room Friday night. To call her just a R&B artist would definitely sell her short. She put on a true rock and roll show Friday night. At one point a drum kit was brought on stage and H.E.R. performed a drum solo the would have made John Bonham stand up and cheer. Donning a guitar, she Jammed out on the Lenny Kravitz tune “Are You Gonna Go My Way” from on top of the video wall, joining her back up band on the perch. But the highlight of the evening was the shred filled “Purple Rain” Lots of artists come through the twin cities and its almost obligatory for them to perform a Prince song. Most of the time it’s less than successful. H.E.R.’s version “Purple Rain” was soulful, emotional and had the entire Armory singing in unity. It was definitely a transcendent moment.
H.E.R.’s first trip to Minneapolis was a triumphant success, let’s hope she comes back soon.
