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Lalah Hathaway Kicks Off Jazzy Nights at The Aretha Showcasing New Album ‘Vantablack’

Author Melody Freshhh
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 03: Lalah Hathaway attends MusiCares Persons of the Year Honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at Los Angeles Convention Center on February 03, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Nothing says ‘a fun summer night’ more than swaying to the beat with a blue drink in your hand at The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater. Their weekly Jazzy Nights series runs all summer long on Wednesday evenings, tailored for a mature crowd that appreciates the rhythm and blues. It was only right to have the soulful Lalah Hathaway and Mike Phillips kick off the 2024 season a week before her latest album is set to release.

I enjoyed chatting with Hathaway about the upcoming show and highly anticipated album, Vantablack, which will be released in full on June 14, 2024. As we get closer to the release date, the album has released a few singles, including upbeat tunes “I AM” and “So In Love” and refreshing “Mood For You,” which features MC Lyte. Hathaway has an extensive list of talented musicians who contributed to her newest project.

Lalah: “Willow Smith is on my album. Gerald Albright. Common. Rhapsody. Fontaine. MC Lyte. And Michael McDonald. I mean, it’s chock full of star power!”

Here are some highlights from the interview:

Melody Freshhh: “Welcome back to the D. How does it feel to be back at The Aretha?”

Lalah Hathaway: “Absolutely. Always good to be there. It’s always good to be at The Aretha. That’s why it’s my place.”

Melody Freshhh: “What’s your favorite memory from being on that stage?”

Lalah Hathaway: “The memory that stands out right in this moment is that one time I was there with Mike Phillips and a lady walked up onto the stage and started talking to me during the show.”

Melody Freshhh: “What’s it like working with Mike Phillips?”

Lalah Hathaway: “Mike Phillips is great. He’s somebody I’ve known for years and years and years. Consummate saxophone player, a consummate performer. An all-around good guy.”

Melody Freshhh: “What can we expect from your new album, Vantablack?”

Lalah Hathaway: “We’re going to play some new music for y’all. We’ve got singles coming out every week until the record comes out on June 14th. It’s called Vantablack, and it’s just in time for Juneteenth. I’m proud of my new record, and it’s probably the best record I’ve ever made. It’s chock full of star power.”

Melody Freshhh: “Which track is your favorite?”

Lalah Hathaway: “I don’t have a favorite track. Listen, Willow Smith is on my album, Gerald Albright, Common, Rhapsody, Phonte, MC Lyte, and Michael McDonald. The whole record is so great to me.”

Lalah Hathaway kicked off the summer season at The Aretha with Mike Phillips tonight, bringing down the house with her soulful performances and giving the audience a taste of her new album, Vantablack. Don’t miss out on this incredible show and the upcoming release of her highly anticipated album.

7 No-Nos That Spell Bad Etiquette at Concerts

Concerts are all about good vibes and enjoying great music. But sometimes, there’s an annoying side to the experience: dealing with bad concert etiquette. While most attendees understand the need for respect and consideration, a few don’t get it. From talking during quiet moments to excessive smartphone use, it’s safe to say that not everyone gets the memo on how to keep the concert vibe alive.

Unruly Concert Fans

With Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour breaking records and drawing massive crowds, many concertgoers have found themselves dealing with less-than-ideal behavior from their fellow music enthusiasts. In fact, videos have surfaced showcasing artists dealing with unruly fans.

From Cardi B to Pink

Remember that incident with Cardi B? She threw a microphone into the crowd after someone chucked a drink at her during a concert. And let’s not forget when Harry Styles got smacked in the eye by a piece of candy in Vienna, and Bebe Rexha needed stitches because she got hit by a mobile phone in New York. And Pink had quite the surprise when someone decided to scatter their mother’s ashes on stage during her show in London. But maybe the most jaw-dropping moment was when Ava Max got slapped by a concertgoer right in the middle of her performance in Los Angeles.

Some people speculate that the extended break from live music during the pandemic might have brought in a wave of post-COVID attendees who are still learning the ropes of concert etiquette. According to the LA Times, many people link this issue to COVID-19, suggesting that the pandemic may have affected our social skills. While the pandemic did have a significant impact, the LA Times argues that it’s time to stop using it as an excuse for unruly behavior, especially since by the end of 2020, COVID-19 shutdowns have ended, and restrictions have eased.

So, what are some concert no-nos that count as bad etiquette? Check out our list below.

  • Throwing Things at the Stage. You're Not Thor!

    Never throw objects, such as drinks or debris, during a concert. This can cause harm to other concertgoers and disrupt the performance. Not to mention, it’s just rude. In July, singer BeBe Rexha had to get stitches after getting hit by a cellphone during her New York show. https://www.instagram.com/p/CtrQQLDuoV3/?hl=en

  • Holding Giant Posters & Signs. You're Not On the Picket Line!

    Certain performers are open to engaging with signs displayed by fans in the audience. But oversized banners and signs can be disruptive, potentially obstructing the view for other concert attendees. Imagine dropping a bunch of cash to see your favorite artist, and all you get is a close-up of someone’s giant poster. So, maybe think twice about lugging those signs along and just leave them at home. Still, it’s worth noting that a massive sign isn’t necessarily a concert showstopper. Take, for instance, Chris Dare and his wife Shantelle, who attended Adele’s Las Vegas show in August. They held up a sign that read, “Adele, will you do our gender reveal?” To everyone’s surprise, Adele invited them on stage, saying, “No one’s really allowed signs in here. I’m just obsessed that you got one in. I’ve never done this.” She then revealed the baby’s gender in a viral video moment.

  • Excessive Phone User

    Bright screens and loud notifications can be distracting. Silence your phone, and if you need to use it, step out of the concert area. This also goes for taking photos and videos. A few pics or short videos are cool, but nobody wants to watch the whole concert through your shaky camera. Plus, it can block others’ views. In July, Miranda Lambert stopped her Las Vegas concert mid-song to call out fans for taking selfies.

    Person holding modern smartphone on a concert.

    m-gucci/ Getty Images

  • In & Out Concertgoer

    Don’t be that person who’s always up and down during a concert. If you absolutely have to leave your seat, do it quietly when there’s a break between songs. Think about it, every time you get up, you make a whole row stand up to let you through. So, save your bathroom breaks and drink refills for intermissions, or opt for an aisle seat if you know you’ll be up and down a lot during the show. It’ll help keep things smooth for everyone.

    People in the auditorium watching the performance. The audience in the theater.

    igoriss/ Getty Images

  • Loud Chit Chat

    Nobody likes the person who talks loudly during the entire concert. They’re the one who chats with their friends at full volume, not realizing they’re annoying everyone else trying to enjoy the music. Essentially, they unintentionally disrupt the concert experience for others who just want to listen to the music without constant chatter in the background. If you want to chat, do it outside the concert area.

    Cheerful crew dancing together and an outdoors festival

    bernardbodo/ Getty Images

  • Inebriation Nation

    Excessive drinking or drug use can lead to obnoxious behavior and can be a safety concern. In a way, the concertgoer who’s sloppy drunk or high is like the wild card at the concert. They add an unpredictable element to the mix. While they might be having a blast, their actions can be a distraction and annoyance to others who are trying to enjoy the music in a more composed manner.

    Silhouette of a woman in a crowd watching concert at open air music festival and enjoying. Crowd with raised hands.

    zamrznutitonovi/ Getty Images

  • Space Invader

    Remember to respect people’s personal space and be aware of how you move around in the crowd. Most concerts are all about dancing and having a good time, so feel free to dance the night away. Just be sure to look around and make sure you’re not accidentally bumping into others while you’re at it. Additionally, being considerate means refraining from pushing or shoving them to get closer to the stage.

    Happy crowd enjoying at music festival in nightclub

    Wavebreakmedia/ Getty Images

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Author Melody Freshhh
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