REVIEW: Omar Apollo Concludes His ‘God Said No’ Tour In San Diego
☆ BY SHELLSEA LOMELI ☆
Photo By Kyle Keliikoa
AFTER MONTHS OF BRINGING A TENDER AND COMPLEX ALBUM TO STAGES ACROSS THE WORLD - Omar Apollo concluded his God Said No Tour in San Diego last Friday night.
The Rady Shell stands out from most music venues in the city. It is a bay-side architectural wonder that fosters an elevated concert experience. It is the perfect home for the San Diego Symphony and on that night, the sophistication and openness of the Rady Shell set the scene for Omar’s stellar performance.
Before the headliner took the stage, rapper and singer Kevin Abstract warmed up the audience. He spent most of his time physically in the crowd as he performed, bringing an intimate feeling to the large venue. The pit was rowdy but respectful, reciting lyrics to songs across his lengthy discography.
With a team of lyrical dancers accompanying a majority of the show, the God Said No Tour was a unique standout amongst most pop and r&b shows that have been cycling recently. The artist’s most recent album was his most mature and meaningful work yet, so it made sense that the tour embodied those intentional characteristics.
The first track off of Omar Apollo’s latest record, “Be Careful With Me” began the night with a pensive and vulnerable tone. A handful of dancers dressed in neutral wardrobe moved alongside the towering artist, bringing feeling to life.
But just like the album God Said No, there is a dichotomy to an Omar Apollo show. At one moment, the audience was undividedly absorbing “Drifting,” a slow-pace and more experimental-sounding song about emotion exhausting. At another moment, they were shouting out the freeing lyrics to the upbeat and audacious “Done With You.”
The dancers on stage didn’t feel like a background accessory to the show but instead, an extension of Omar himself. The artist participated in a bulk of the choreography, including his classic spins that have become known as a signature move to his fans. The combination of movement, vocals, guitar playing and more resembled the multi-talent of past icons like Prince, who has inspired Apollo’s artistry in so many ways.
The 27-year-old also took time during the night for fan interactions, seeking out the best grito from the crowd — a loud vocalization that represents Mexican pride and heritage. While the artist attracted a diverse audience, it was clear that Omar Apollo’s show provided a safe and invaluable space for young, queer Latinos similar to the artist himself to gather and be their most authentic selves.
Omar Apollo’s God Said No tour proved to be a unique and memorable form of art, raising the bar for live shows in the pop and R&B space in today’s music scene.
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