This past month, pop star Grimes told Pitchfork that in 10 to 20 years, she believes live performance will become obsolete. “Once there’s actually AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), they’re gonna be so much better at making art than us,” she said.

I witnessed experimental icon FKA twigs prove her unequivocally wrong in Brooklyn on Thursday, Nov. 21.

The concert venue, Kings Theatre, was swanky and magnificent. Red velvet carpet and gold furnishing drew the eye at every turn. The crowd was the most diverse and inclusive group of individuals I have ever seen — there were no Juuling frat boys in Knicks jerseys, and it was lovely not to have to worry about cheap, light beer soaking my clothes throughout the show.

When observing and talking to the crowd, it was obvious that FKA twigs has conjured up a uniquely committed fan base, one reflective of the quality of her music. Both her enlightened guests and the regal scenery of Kings significantly enhanced my experience.
The show began purposefully subdued, FKA twigs singing somberly in front of a lavish red curtain.

Then suddenly, everything came alive. The set was exuberant, flashing sleek choreography and intricate wardrobe designs. At times, it felt like a full-scale Broadway play. FKA twigs displayed a full palette of emotions through movement and cadence, from exasperation to euphoria. Every costume she presented was meticulously detailed and aesthetically fitting.

Just when I thought I understood what she was going for, FKA twigs switched gears. She brought out her iconic stripper pole and changed the dynamic of the show completely. The way she represented femininity through her provocative performance further stretched the bounds of her artistic expression. FKA twigs truly flaunted an ever-expanding sea of ingenuity.

The show reached an undisputed climax during her final song, “Cellophane.” This harrowing ballad, a tale of insecurity, is the anthem of FKA twigs fans, many of them practically weeping during it.

One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of the show was FKA twigs’ ability to guide the crowd. The crowd got so tranquil and noiseless that I felt bad reaching in my coat pocket to grab a pen, worried that I was making too much noise.

In all my years of documenting shows, I have never seen an equivalent to that. Many artists have to worry about projectiles being thrown at them, fights breaking out in the crowd or a lackluster group of millennials stuck on Snapchat recording the whole performance. This concert was completely bereft of those modern shortcomings, highlighting FKA twigs as a matchless artist in an age of clones.

Her performance was by far one of the best I have ever seen — the disbelief of what I had just witnessed followed me all the way home.
FKA twigs cemented her eminence that Thursday night to a sea of applauding fans and showed why she is one of this generation’s greatest artists.