Seraphina Lotkhamnga on April 18th, 2011

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Who: Raphael Saadiq in the Gobi tent
In 3 Words Or Fewer: Stone Rollin’ soul
I’ll Remember This Until: I find another soul artist who can rock a turtleneck in this desert weather. Raphael Saadiq had someone serving as both his hype man and backing vocalist, but neither was particularly necessary. Combining R&B, soul and now throwbacks to Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley, the 44-year-old crooner made the breezy night feel like a cozy club with his sexy, danceable tunes. From the moment the charismatic singer/songwriter/producer walked onstage working the tambourine, it was obvious he was going to work the audience too. He eased the crowd in with the charmer “Staying In Love,” took up a guitar for newer material such as “Heart Attack” and “Stone Rollin’” and, predictably, induced plenty of audience participation. He implored them to “Keep Marchin’” and have “Daydreams,” and if you remember him from his Tony! Toni! Toné! days, that seems like pretty sound advice.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Was At Suede: Full disclosure: Since Raphael started his set later than scheduled; I managed to squeeze some Suede in, too. Can you blame me? It was Suede!
– S.L.