It makes sense that Allen Stone is a preacher’s kid, because all he’s doing as a blue-eyed soul singer is a different kind of preaching. At his so sold-out City Arts Fest performance at the Triple Door last night, twenty-three-year-old Stone was the consummate performer, easily playing off the crowd’s energy, interacting with his backing band (helloooo shirtless drummer beefcake), and dude even got a full house to participate in an in-your-seat dance-off.
Allen drew heavily from his new self-titled release, some of which he broke down solo on an acoustic guitar, as well as turning Bob Marley’s “Is This Love” from a light reggae pop tune to a soul scorcher that makes you say GODDAMN. The night came to end with his acoustic political screed “Last to Speak,” which is Stone’s Marvin Gaye moment–he’s a soul singer who just wants to save the world, baby. The crowd was into it, hooting and cheering on the best lines, so it almost felt like Stone was just getting started when the show had to come to end.
But it ain’t over, baby: Now you’ve got one more chance to see Allen during City Arts Fest, as he has replaced FENCES on the bill at Neumo’s tonight. Get your soul on.