When Tahliah Barnett, aka FKA twigs, performs, she doesn’t require super elaborate stage setups to fix the audience’s gaze. Her wild dance moves, her seductive yet fashionable attire and her synchronized light show command attention. However, her ambitious ‘Congregata’ show, which premiered in London earlier this year, is ten times as wild as her regular show. ‘Congregata’ was brought to New York City for three sold-out nights as part of the Red Bull Music Academy month-long series of events. Taking place at the Brooklyn Hangar, ‘Congregata’ was a hot, sweaty show, and not just for the dancers. The warehouse was downright swampy before the show event began. But for those in attendance, the show was a wild mix of dancers (including Leiomy Maldonado), powerful lights, ornate costumes and of course, FKA twigs in full force, all choreographed with precision to create a two-hour long epic event. There wasn’t even a scheduled break for twigs to talk with the audience, though she did share some genuine love for her family and friends once it was over. With all the flash, it was possible to lose track of the musical progression, which varied through twig’s released material and some other instrumental fillers. But at the cohesive peaks, ‘Congregata’ is a stunning performance inspired by all that FKA twigs is and does and one that promises even greater theatrical and musical endeavors will come.
Shaky and maybe not so great video clips: