India.Arie
Fox Theater on Thursday, August 27th

I knew the importance of this show going in. I didn't know how strong, confident, and inspired I would feel leaving it. When we walked into the Fox Theater we came to a stage with microphones dressed in orange & yellow fabrics, there was an instant aura of positive energy throughout the room.

India walked on stage after her band and she looked gorgeous in a bright dress. She instantly said thank you and then asked to see the theater and the audience. As the house lights came on she waved hello to us. From there on out she was the most down to earth, kind, loving, musician I have seen live. As she said if you didn't know her, you will by the end of the night.

As she recommended we watched with our eyes, hearts, and I payed attention to the lyrics that were more moving then most. The first few songs she played sounded like songs but were prayers. It was a wonderful way to open the night. Tonight was her third show without John Legend and she was excited to create her own energy for the show.

India Arie is about spreading love, peace, and healing through the power of music and words. She told us she wishes that everyone will leave touched. The second she started "Video" also known as Because I am A Queen, the ladies went wild in the crowd. One of India's strongest messages is to be happy with your body and yourself. Celebrate it. After Video she started to walk off the stage and say Thank you Good Night as a joke, it was pretty funny.

I love "Ghetto," she played it next. It's off her new album. I listened to it about twenty times today at work. India is very animated on stage, carefree; everyone was having fun and laughing. She was even dancing in her twirly dress. The group worked well together. Very talented beautiful back up singers and Blue was fantastic on the guitar. After Ghetto she played "Therapy" which she told us to check out the video for. Click Here to check it out on her myspace page, the video is shot in a gorgeous setting. Shannon he played the keys and it was cool to watch him sing along even when he wasn't singing with India.

After "I am not my Hair" she took the wig off she was wearing and looked powerful with her shaved head. She had a sense of humor, she even brushed it. India said when she was twelve she had problems with her hair breaking but here she is today and she gets a standing ovation and applause for having a shaved head.

She played her jam "He Heals Me" and I loved that she played the flute during the song. Very elegant women. After that she came out in a different dress full of color still and an ear to ear grin. India was so down to earth she hopped off the stage and walked up the aisles of the Fox and shook hands and gave hugs. It was so cool.

I am a new fan of "Private Party," which was a fun song all about celebrating you. She told us her daily Private Party was when she walked down the street and there was a store window she would look over and say "Oh I look cute!" I did learn about India, how she likes to learn about people through astrology. She had fun trying to guess what the signs of her group were on stage.

Towards the end of the night they played songs they wanted to and it was relaxed and fun. She played a song for the men in the house because she respects that they came. Her music is geared towards ladies, but Matt had a good time and was impressed. Finally, she played "Brown Skin" and everyone loved it. I head multiple people request it through out the night, so it was fun to watch everyone jump up and sing along. Overall it was one of the best shows I have been too. Top female musician I have seen all year. I would see her again in a hear beat and I left her show touched and inspired. I have never left a show feeling like I did tonight. I hope I can experience that again.

Check out more photos from the show here!

Listen to our interview with India.Arie

Andrea@checkitoutmusic.com