Tag: rnb

Kali Uchis
The Sincerely, Tour
Toyota Center
September 2, 2025

Ten years ago, I was in the audience as Kali Uchis performed for the first time at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Back then, I wrote the following observation:

“[Uchis] is an odd yet satisfying mix of doo-wop, R&B and smooth/dreamy reggae with a hip-hop attitude.”

In the world of algorithms and trends, it is refreshing to see that Uchis has stayed her own course, still writing and singing lovely tracks with the same classical beauty aesthetic and mix of R&B and Latin inspired vibes.

The Toyota Center was packed on Tuesday evening with adoring fans who were also adhering to the aesthetic, many wearing cute, summer dresses adorned with hues of pinks, baby blue, and other pastel colors. Some attached flowers to their outfits as if they were extras strait out of Kali’s “I Wish You Roses” music video. All I know is that I was way underdressed and too old to be there as a 45 year old in cargo shorts and New Balance sneakers.

The night started strong with opening act for the tour, San Diego’s own Chicano Soul band named Thee Sacred Souls. Their sound is also classic, but in the backyard BBQ, driving slow in a lowrider type of way. The band consists of a horn section, drummer, a duo of funky guitar and bass, an electric organ, and the band’s secret weapon: vocalist Josh Lane.

Lane is tall and slender, and looks like a member of the Marley family. But his voice is the epitome of chill, endearing the listener with smooth vocals, a mile wide smile, and dance moves that would make Elvis nervous.

Normally, a band holds their biggest hit for the end of the set, but not this band. They came out of the gate with “Can I Call You Rose?”, which was on my personal Top Ten list of favorite tracks 2022. The track was met with a loud roar of appreciation from the audience, and indeed sounded magical in person as opposed to in my headphones.

Lane then ran into the crowd, dancing and singing across the arena floor and even up and down the aisles. He was definitely being extra and doing “the most”, but in doing so won over the crowd and provided a memory that will not fade away anytime soon. My niece Rose Marie literally jumped up and down with joy as Lane passed by our section, sliding and dancing and smiling the entire time.

After a quick intermission, the baby pink curtain was draped across the stage, and the words “Kali Uchis, The Sincerely” were projected against the backdrop. When the lights dimmed and the show was beginning, the curtains revealed Uchis sitting on a swing above center stage, with fog and spotlights allowing her to shine bright in dreamy setting.

She wore a baby blue gown, hair in an up-do, and carried a glittery gold microphone. Simply put, she is gorgeous, exuding that classic Hollywood glamour energy, with a mix of Latina sensuality and mystique. She is sexy but not overtly sexual, a combination of coquette and baby doll, secure and strong and downright beautiful. Her voice matches her look, a mezzo-soprano with a wide range, frequently hitting falsetto notes to accompany her smooth tonal vocals.

Her set list was divided into six sections and an encore, each section representing a different album from her career. She endeared herself even more to the crowd by praising Houston for being “the loudest audience in Texas by far!”

After the opening set from her “Sincerely” album, she shifted into her album “Orquídeas”, which includes some of my favorite Kali cuts, including “Muñekita” and “Igual Que Un Angel.” Her dancers surrounded around the stage wearing all white, and at one point began to carry Uchis as if she was Cleopatra, elevating her across the stage, all while Kali kept in tune and on beat.

During another section of the set, a large bed was introduced onto the stage. Uchis laid on the bed and the camera displayed her from above as she sang and shimmied center stage. Kali has a habit of dropping low to the floor, sometimes crawling, always cute and still modest. It isn’t quite twerking, but rather living on a different plane, shifting her angles and providing gracious looks.

Uchis took a small break to invite a special guest to the stage, her life partner Don Toliver. The crowd erupted in cheers, welcoming the Houston native to the scene. She then continued her set and finished with songs from “Isolation,” “Sin Miedo” and “Red Moon in Venus.” My favorite songs were performed during this section, including “After The Storm,” “Telepatia” and “See You Again”.

It definitely was marvelous to see Kali Uchis again, and we wish her continued success along her journey.

¡Hasta pronto!