East River Park is filled to the brim. While free concerts are sure to bring many out of their homes because of their attractive price, there is something unique about this crowd, which swells and bobs as time draws the night open. The many people in the crowd have all united with the intention of enjoying the sweet, dulcet melodies of Khalid, the mononymous singer from Georgia, whose debut album ‘American Teen’ has caught enough attention to have girls wait “8TEEN” hours for him to perform.
From the first notes of ‘American Teen’, the title track and his entrance song, the concert feels like an exploration of Khalid’s life. The R&B singer finds solace in his past and nostalgia, as the title song, and whole album for that matter, conveys. He follows with “Let’s Go”, a song about graduating high school. The personal, melancholy lyrics reach even the furthest attendees sitting on the grass surrounding the venue, for most are (American) teens, and the lyrics reflect the changes and experiences they are living through now; school ending and starting, relationships old and new, making memories with friends, bittersweet goodbyes as people part ways. In a way, the concert is an entrance, an invitation to the ones beginning anew, for his lyrics are proof that they are not alone.
Luckily for his fans, Khalid’s novel career allows his performance to include almost his entire discography. He even gives the crowd a taste of his new collaboration with Marshmello, a song entitled “Silence” that had been released the previous day. This performance felt the most riveting, particularly because of the feeling that this crowd was the first to hear the song live. As is becoming familiar and trademark, Khalid sings a story of emotional insecurities and the grapple between this and confidence; accompanied by a soft, yet dynamic electronic beat crafted by Marshmello, the song adds to the euphoric setting on the East River and the overall feeling of rapport between Khalid and the crowd before him.
Despite the intimate lyrics and emotional performance, Khalid has the company of two background dancers, who both don ‘American Teen’ cheerleading costumes or maroon t-shirts. Added as a choice to continue the nostalgic feeling brought forth the whole concert, but the cheerleaders seemed oddly displaced for a solo concert, instead bringing a feeling of awkwardness upon their entrance. However, their presence added a youthful note, an ode to Khalid’s memories from high school perhaps, but they remained too short in supply to leave the crowd in favor.
The favorites, “Location” and “Young Dumb & Broke”, will always get the loudest claps, the most to sing along; but it is his lesser known songs like “Therapy” and “Keep Me” that remind the attendees and the world that Khalid’s soulful album will not be forgotten. Even between songs does he find another moment to grasp the crowd, including a witty moment of truth about an ex-relationship before he begins the song “Saved”. Together, concert goers will find themselves likened by his charming personality and honest ability to be emotional. As the sun sets on the East River, Khalid leaves behind a wonderful night full of memories and elation.