From Re:SET Concert Series: Steve Lacy Reflects on Career

Following Steve Lacy’s highly successful “Give You The World” tour during the fall of 2022, his sophomore album “Gemini Rights” won the artist his first Grammy for Best Progressive R&B Album. This success skyrocketed the California-born musician — who began making music on SoundCloud — into stardom.

Lacy’s appearance on June 16 at The Stage at Suffolk Downs reflected the past decade that he has spent crafting and perfecting his musicianship and stage personality. After the performances from the three previous acts scheduled for the day finished, the crowd waited in anticipation as the road crew set two large LED blocks with images of Lacy on either side of a microphone. The members of the band walked out one by one, obscured by the large rectangular shapes and a fog that accompanied the arrival of Lacy’s backing vocalists. The large screens shut off and the crowd fell silent as they tried to find the singer in the darkness.

Lacy silently emerged from the thick haze with an air of mystery, carrying a black guitar in a large black overcoat and pants which matched the outfits of the rest of his band. He paused, stock-still at his microphone watching a roaring crowd through bright blue wraparound sunglasses. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, a smile spread across his face and the band crept into the first verse of “Cody Freestyle.” This stoic pose did not hold for long as the band erupted into the transition of the more upbeat track “Helmet.” Lacy’s movements were intoxicating and fresh, springing his crowd into dancing.

Lacy’s electric guitar solo marked a shift from the composed appearance of the concert’s beginning — even his backing singers abandoned their synchronized movements to jump in awe of the spectacle. By Courtesy of Gwendolyn M. Ibarra

Each song highlighted a different aspect of Lacy’s skilled musicianship — from siren-like vocals in “Give You The World” to a spoken-word approach taken in his performance of “Infrunami.” The crowd was engaged during every beat, singing along and swaying. Lacy scattered personal anecdotes between songs that kept the audience interested, from his distaste of Boston’s signature lobster rolls to a short story about a relationship with his braider.

After a few more songs from his other albums, including “Hate CD” and “Some,” Lacy showcased his diverse sound in the fast paced song “4real,” which fuses heavier rock riffs with shrill singing. Lacy’s electric guitar solo marked a shift from the composed appearance of the concert’s beginning — even his backing singers abandoned their synchronized movements to jump in awe of the spectacle. Lacy fell to the ground at the last note and joked to the crowd, “Somebody tripped me back there!” with a grin.

Lacy mused about his transformation as a musician and the subsequent variety in his discography, taking time to call attention to his start as a band member in The Internet alongside fellow musicians Syd, Matt Martians, Patrick Paige II, and Christopher Smith.

“I started off doing this as kind of something that felt right to me, but I like being a vessel. I like helping other people get their ideas out. It brings me a lot of joy. It took me a second to get used to being that guy in the front. Shit is weird.”

“I think it’s important to let people explore,” Lacy said, referencing his first studio album, “Apollo XXI.” “And I think it’s also important to flop. I think flopping is great ‘cause you get to see what didn’t work.”

After thanking fans, Lacy performed one of his first releases as a solo artist, “C U Girl,” followed by “Sunshine,” accompanied by Fousheé, who opened the festival at the beginning of the day. The onstage chemistry between the two musicians was breathtaking and their voices produced beautifully blended harmonies. Fousheé was not the only guest, however; he invited a young girl from the crowd onstage to join him in singing his final song of the night, “Dark Red.”

Friday’s well-rounded set captures Lacy at his very best — in other words, at each step of his journey. His music style has changed significantly throughout his career, but his fanbase has grown with him culminating in a performance that celebrated Lacy’s full soundscape.

—Staff writer Gwendolyn M. Ibarra can be reached at gwendolyn.ibarra@thecrimson.com.