By Gideon Bromberg
On a mild Tuesday evening, St. Louis-based neo-soul artist Jordan Ward and Brooklyn-raised Nali performed at The Loft on Peachtree St. as part of Ward’s “Apartment Tour.” The R&B artists were there to perform their latest albums, BACKWARD and I Love Nali —both of which received acclaim for their emotional depth, unique vocals, and cozy production. The line outside poured from the venue and wrapped around the block, characterized by a flock of alternatively-dressed, bright-eyed fans standing excitedly for the doors to swing open at 7 PM. Once they did, the crowd crammed through the doorway and into the small, standing-only performance center, waiting for Nali to walk out on stage.
Not far from the stage hung a small disco ball that dimly reflected the ambient blue and purple lighting onto the people standing beneath it. As the “Apartment Tour” name suggests, the stage design featured elements reminiscent of a living room: several vintage upholstered chairs, a few plants, and a handful of floor lamps surrounded the various instruments. The set emulated a familiar environment, making the concert feel less like a spectacle and more like a laid-back housewarming party.
Around 8:15, Nali stepped onto the stage, and the crowd, which was previously scattered around the venue, quickly shuffled away from the bar and merchandise table and towards the performer. Leaning into the crowd’s enthusiasm, Nali performed her hit songs “Hold Me Close” and “RIP. “Her airy vocals softly told stories of complicated love and romantic misfortunes. Between songs, Nali would take a minute to playfully banter with the audience, at one point joking that her favorite place to eat in Atlanta was American Deli, which was met with a roar of theatrical outrage and laughter she seemed to enjoy provoking. It was a small but wholesome moment that displayed her talent in connecting with her audience as a performer.
After a fifteen-minute intermission, the lights dimmed in anticipation of Jordan Ward’s entrance. In the context of Jordan Ward’s discography, BACKWARD stands as his most mature project to date. His previous album, appropriately titled FORWARD, served as a high-energy, summer anthem-like outlet for his reflections on childhood. Despite being fourteen tracks, FORWARD’s runtime is only 30 minutes, truly exemplifying how his childhood, short and sweet, slipped away. BACKWARD instead sharply shifts the lens onto Ward’s adult problems, cutting into topics like imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and insecurities, both physical and personal.
Floating onto the stage,Ward opened with “STRANGER,” a calm tune about finding oneself through difficult tribulations from his most recent album, BACKWARD. Ward then transitions to “NOISY NEIGHBORS,” a story about his own flaws and diving into his desire to experience connection with others. Instead of tackling these things head on, he fails to address his own problems, spiraling as a result of his destructive habits. While heavy in subject matter, the crowd sang back every word to him, bouncing along to the rhythm. Live, Ward’s voice was warm, deeply expressive, and slightly hoarse, offering a level of earnestness that is different from his recorded tracks.
The set built steadily from there. Ward moved into his biggest hits, performing “CHERIMOYA” from his previous album. The song draws an analogy, comparing a unique, sweet fruit to a cherished lover. Sincere and intimate, the track drew the crowd to switch on their phone flashlights and sway with the tune in the dimly lit room. As for instrumentation, two guitarists sat on the upholstered chairs, strumming alongside a pianist. All three seemed amused as they watched Ward bounce around on stage—energetic despite the artist performing rather chill music.
After the final song, “CHAMPION SOUND,” concluded, the crowd began to disperse, shuffling down the flights of stairs and back out into the street, many flying off on rented Lime scooters. The “Apartment Tour” achieved something most shows do not; instead of simply performing, Ward and Nali hosted. For one evening at The Loft, hundreds gathered for their housewarming party.
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