I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: October 21, 2023] Genesis Owusu / Godly the Ruler

My wife and I joke about how we don’t really like Genesis Owusu but he is so damned catchy that it’s inevitable  to become a fan.  When his show was announced I grabbed a ticket and then forgot about it because it was months away.

I realize that he’s Australian and may not come to the States that often, but when the Wax Jaw show was announced, I was sure that I could get to the Genesis show after the Wax Jaw set.

Wax Jaw was finishing at 9:30 and most Underground Arts shows start at 9.  So, I’d miss Godly the Ruler and be there in enough time to catch the Genesis set.

But for reasons I cannot imagine, Godly went on at 8:30!

Realistically, Genesis would go on maybe 9:15, maybe, if he was like some bands, 9:30.  Well, Wax Jaw played long (9:40) and it took me ten minutes to get to Underground Arts so I walked in more than half way through the Genesis Owusu set.

I was bummed at how crowded it was and how far back I had to be (and behind the pole).  But I was able to see a few things: a stool with a large book on it and a giant, black, rectangular box to the center of the stage.  I understand the box was a mysterious object when the show opened, but when I walked in it was flashing lights and colors and almost overwhelming the room with brightness.

I was assuming he’d play “Leaving the Light” last as it is (to my mind) his biggest hit.  But he opened with it (damn!)

I walked in during Balthazar.  The set was loud and thumping.  There was some room in the back and people were dancing.  It was a rager.

By the time I got settled he played a song I knew, “Get Inspired” was even more fun, even if I don’t know half of what he’s saying.

He followed that with another song I knew, “Don’t Need You” the first song I’d ever heard by him–perfectly encapsulating the irritating and catchiness.

Genesis was a nice mix of humble and cocky.  He was genuinely happy with the turnout “all for little old me” but he also proudly stood on the stage, arms wide, absorbing the adulation.

I’m certain he did this before this point in the show as well, but for Stay Blessed he opened a that massive book.  It glowed white light into his face, like he was a transcendent preacher.  But instead of reading it, a booming voice spoke passages regarding existence, chaos, and finding meaning.

For the final song, he asked everyone to sit.  Then he climbed down into the audience and sang the gentle “A Song About Fishing.”  he was behind the pole for almost all of this for me, but I did see him a few times and it was pretty cool.

For his encore, he did The Roach, and had everyone chanting along.  It was a lot of fun.

I definitely wish I had seen more and, more importantly had been closer. But I don’t regret the decision I made to see Wax Jaw instead.  I’m sure both bands will play many more shows in the area.  This show was fun in its smallness, but I think it might be even more fun at a venue like Union Transfer.  We’ll see!

Godly the Ruler is a Nigeria-born, Chicago-raised musician who seems to throw a lot of stuff into his songs.  He reminds me of Tyler the Creator a bit, but with a more interesting (and “live”) musical component to his songs.  i didn’t think much of the song I checked out before the show which I why I didn’t mind missing him.  He might be more interesting live, but I’ll never know.

SETLIST (I missed the songs that are crossed out).

1. Leaving the Light $
2. Survivor
3. The Old Man $
4. See Ya There $
5. Waitin’ on Ya ∈
6. Gold Chains ∈
7. Tied Up! $
8. WUTD Ø
9. Balthazar $
10. Get Inspired ⊗
11. Don’t Need You ∈
12. Stay Blessed $
13. What Comes Will Come $
14. A Song About Fishing ∈
    encore
15. The Roach $

$ STRUGGLER (2023)
⊗ single (2022)
∈ Smiling with No Teeth (2021)
Ø single (2019)