“Welcome to Austin. Welcome to the dreamscape,” declared two women wearing white fleeces and cotton ball tiaras in unison as we entered Trinity Warehouse late Thursday night.
The long, rectangular building, which sits empty 51 weeks a year, had been decked out with copious faux clouds and virtual reality stations from sponsor Sony. An attendant fastened a VR device to my cranium and pressed play.
I found myself in a red convertible with an animated version of young El Paso pop star Khalid Robinson, who tells me I’m dreaming and that he’ll drive. First, we’re in his garage, then his high school, then – in a surprising and unnecessary plot twist – cruising through outer space with a blue whale. Soon we’re back at his high school, where he creepily dances for me.
Virtual reality may replace the music video someday, but only when stronger concepts are employed.
Following a sensual and highly choreographed set of modern makeout pop from Tinashe, Khalid took the stage in a magenta windbreaker and glided into the title track of 2017 smash American Teen. The debut, holding high on the charts after five Grammy nominations, presents a new view of the all-American kid: imperfect and restless, yet full of love and hope with no hurry to grow up. The Texan’s physical appearance and quality as a performer projects maturity, while only his speaking voice tips you off that he’s barely 20.
“This song is super sad. I hope that’s okay with you,” he said sheepishly before launching into “Another Sad Love Song.”
With his sweet, emotive voice, it’s no stretch to gauge Khalid as his decade’s Marvin Gaye. The hourlong showcase, lifted by an exquisite backing trio that includes a keyboard prodigy, demonstrated that he can deliver his material with heartfelt heft while maintaining tenderness. That was evident in his patient recital of Black Panther soundtrack highlight “The Ways,” which preceded crowd favorite “Location.”
Then, just as he had the capacity crowd universally charmed, the clock struck 1am and he signed off with “Young, Dumb & Broke.” That anthem puts an exclamation point on American Teen’s message: celebrate your youth and don’t let anyone wrest it from you.
This article appears in March 16 • 2018.