LA-based R&B singer, Fana Hues, brought her MOTH tour to Toronto this past Monday, delivering an intimate yet powerful performance at the Drake Underground. I was first introduced to her music when she was an opener for Lucky Daye’s tour last year, and I went to see him at his show in Toronto. Accompanied by a badass guitarist, her set left a lasting impression on me. As simple as her stage presence was, she still filled the room with her tender yet powerful vocals. I remember thinking “She should really do her own tour.”
Lo and behold 8 months later, she answered my unspoken prayers.
Despite the Drake Underground’s small size, Hues made the most of the stage. A large, hazy mirror stretched across the centre of the stage, decorated by 2 large LED lights displaying her name and the album title, MOTH. Even the small details, like her microphone stand being wrapped around in fairy lights, added to the show’s shimmering and dreamy aesthetic.
Opening up for her was a Toronto artist named Jay Glavany. I wasn’t familiar with his music prior to this show but as he put it: “If you like Fana Hue’s music, then you’ll probably like mine too.” And he was right. Even though his style of R&B leaned more towards traditional, it was still sultry and heartfelt in the same way Hues’ music is. He also had a keyboardist join him on stage (who, unfortunately, did not stay for Hues’ portion of the night) and was a great addition to his sets. A highlight of his set was his smooth cover of Steve Monite’s, “Only You” (which was included in the Bad Boys: Ride or Die soundtrack!). Glavany closed his set out with one of his popular hits, “Already Lost”, where he had the audience wave peace signs in the air, setting a playful tone before Fana took the stage.
From the moment she stepped on stage, you felt the energy shift. She walked out slowly – deliberate and seductive – before pausing with her back to the audience, letting the anticipation build. Then, the first notes of one of my personal favourite songs, “Sweet Like,” played, and the show was in full swing.
Her outfit added another layer to the experience – a two-piece made up of earthy, neutral colours and designed to look wet, clinging to her in a way that displayed a gritty yet seductive look. What I found to be relatable was that she began the night in these short heels, adorned in colourful jewels but she made it through only 3 songs before disappearing backstage. She returned barefoot, fully embracing comfort over fashion.
Her setlist was a well-balanced mix, ranging from earlier hits from her album Hues to some of the recent hits off of MOTH. At one point, she even gave insight as to where she got the name of her album, MOTH. She explained that it stands for “Matters of the Heart” and while most of the songs are lustful, they’re made with the intention to reflect those emotions connected with the heart.
Even though Hues was alone on stage, she knew how to command the space with ease. At times, I did find myself wishing for more people to join her on stage – such as background dancers during her dance break for her song “Rental,” or a guitarist for those bass-heavy songs like “Paper Tigers.” However, Hues made up for it with her presence. She showed love to both sides of the stage as she glided across, her hands flowing in a delicate yet intentional manner. Her movements on the stage mirrored the energy of the song, which I enjoyed. For instance, for the song “What Speaks,” she sank to the floor, pulling the audience in for an intimate performance as she sang to us like she was singing directly to each of us – emulating the song perfectly. As an audience member, you could feel that she made this music with vulnerability and passion. Every motion, every note felt deeply personal – her voice a direct extension to her heart.
For her first headlining tour, Fana Hues definitely put on a show. She was electrifying yet ethereal. Bold yet delicate. Seductive yet sweet. She proves that she’s not like any other artist but a true performer. She managed to embody the emotions of her music through her performance and it was captivating to watch. By the time the night ended, the audience was left mesmerized, enchanted and eager to see where her journey takes her next.
