Since scoring a pair of left-field slow jam hits in duets with H.E.R. (“Best Part”) and Kali Uchis (“Get You”) six years ago, Daniel Caesar has sidestepped the quest for the male R&B throne and has instead opted to focus on further developing his dedicated community of fans — one that has grown to the size of a sold-out Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night (Oct. 17).
The Grammy winner has come a long way since those controversial comments on race relations and the subsequent backlash, but a sobering, apologetic self-reflection and a string of major career moves kept the Caesar train chugging. In the time since “Best Part” emerged as Freudian’s breakout hit, Caesar found Billboard Hot 100 success as a songwriter for fellow Canadians Justin Bieber (“Peaches,” No. 1 — also with Caesar as a featured artist) and Shawn Mendes (“Monster,” No. 8), launched another acclaimed Grammy-nominated studio effort in Case Study 01, and released collaborations with Common, Brandy, FKA twigs and Omar Apollo.
On Tuesday night, the acclaimed singer-songwriter took over one of the world’s most iconic venues to perform the biggest show of his career thus far. His Superpowers World Tour — a global trek in support of his major label debut album, Never Enough, a stunningly introspective slice of R&B that peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 — is a terrific showcase of musical dexterity.
On the latest stop of his Superpowers Tour, Caesar tore through his lush discography, showcasing impressive vocal endurance and an intriguing yet entrancing approach to staging. Before he hit the stage, however, Grammy-nominated pop&B lothario Omar Apollo sparkled with an energetic set that dripped with sensuality and playfulness. Evoking Michael Jackson one second and Mick Jagger the next, Apollo swaggered through renditions of hits like “Evergreen,” “Tamagotchi” and “3 Boys.” Between a heartfelt tribute to Mexico (“En El Olvido”) and a hilarious streak of frankness — after he flubbed a riff, he quipped, “Oop, my fault!” before seamlessly executing an even harder falsetto riff — Apollo seemed incredibly comfortable in front of the packed arena.
Caesar began his set enclosed in translucent drapery, with a guest appearance from Mustafa the Poet — the pair performed their “Toronto 2014” collaboration — adding to the enigmatic tone of the night. Once he hit “Cyanide,” the drapes fell, revealing a close-up of a humbled Caesar, ready and excited to delight the crowd with a slew of songs off Never Enough, as well as some fan-favorites (“Entropy”) and a cover of Radiohead’s “Creep.” Not one for much banter, Caesar instead channeled his appreciation into a series of moving vocal performances that cast his greatest love songs in the context of the love story between him and his fans.
Here are the five best moments of Daniel Caesar’s Superpowers World Tour at Madison Square Garden:
From a cube comprised of flowing, white semi-transparent sheets to a stunning light show for the climax of “Please Do Not Lean,” this show’s production was an absolute highlight. By playing with shadows, the production design explored the push and pull of mystique and celebrity as it relates to Caesar’s public persona. All of this paired with his haunting-yet-alluring vocal tone made for an immersive experience.
Daniel Caesar may not be the first artist to come to mind when presented with the word “theatrical,” but he certainly flaunted those dramatic abilities on Tuesday night. Caesar spent much of his rendition of “Shot My Baby” sprawled out on the floor as if he himself were shot. When his guitarist started shredding near the end of the song, it was as if Caesar’s still body was soaking up all the energy from every seat in the sold-out arena.
For the encore, Caesar brought the packed arena into a cozy backstage lounge. There, he sat with Omar Apollo as the two listened to the roars of the crowd. At one point, the pair looked liked they would close the night with a duet, but after Apollo briefly mumbled something about not rehearsing, Caesar good-naturedly launched into a solo, acoustic performance of “Streetcar” — a smart and nostalgic choice for an encore that drew one of the night’s most fervent crowd responses.
Stripping the stage to just him and his acoustic guitar, Caesar tackled Radiohead’s “Creep” with what was probably the night’s peak in terms of vulnerability. The unplugged vibe presented an immediate juxtaposition to the mysterious production design utilized at the top of the show, thus fostering a sense of intimacy that conveyed the gratefulness and awe his spirit radiated throughout the night.
Needing no introduction, Grammy and Oscar winner H.E.R. floated onto the stage to assist Caesar in an exquisite rendition of their hit collab “Best Part.” Considering that this was Caesar’s first performance at the Garden, it was only right that he bring out the duet partner that helped craft the song that made his career explode. With Caesar on acoustic guitar and just the two of them on stage, the two R&B crooners riffed their way through the song, perfectly embodying the depth and warmth that made the studio track such an enduring hit.