Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings’ unforgettable performance

The Dap Kings prepare a sold-out Trustees Theater for a night of jazz and soul.Photo by Kenneth Rosen

In the opening night performance, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings set the bar high for the rest of the bands involved in the Savannah Music Festival. Not only were Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings the first nighttime performers for the festival, they were also the first band to sell out, with even City of Savannah Mayor Otis Johnson in attendance.

If Sharon Jones’ bright blue sequined and fringed dress wasn’t enough to get your attention, her soulful lyrics and rocking band sure were. She had a raspy voice and a soul/funk style that was inspired by artists such as James Brown.

Encouraging the audience to rip up their tickets and dance in the aisles, Binky Griptite hypes the audience.Photo by Kenneth Rosen

From the moment that Sharon Jones walked onto the stage she was entertaining the audience. She had an undeniable stage presence. With her humorous stories serving as background information to explain her songs, she kept the audience laughing. Jones is not only a singer, but also a performer and entertainer.

Her goal, which she announced to the audience, was to have everyone up and dancing. I must admit, with her catchy tunes, it was nearly impossible to resist getting up and dancing. The rest of the audience must have felt the same way because by the end of the concert, nearly everyone was out of their seats. Jones also called many of the audience members onto the stage. The entire show was interactive. There was never a moment that Jones stood still; she was constantly dancing.

Not only did Jones recognize the audience, she also took the time to recognize her band. She introduced each member and gave them each their own solo, a chance to share her spotlight. She made sure everyone was included in the fun that she was having on stage.

Sharon Jones excites the audience with jubilee and pizazz.Photo by Kenneth Rosen

There did seem to be a few minor technical difficulties at the beginning of the show. Men ran across the stage during the band’s performance before Jones came on stage to make minor adjustments to microphones and speakers. After the few minor tweaks, there were no problems during the concert.

It was clear by the end of the night why Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings had a sold out performance. Their soulful music and interaction with the audience made for a show-stopping performance. This sold-out concert did not disappoint.