In a saturated concert production world, Devonté Hynes, professionally known as Blood Orange, reminded his listeners of the power of lyricism, intentional performance and what it means to be a musician.
From Sept. 9-11, Hynes serenaded San Francisco’s Warfield theater over the course of three sold-out shows with his euphony and signature R&B sound. This tour was a dedication to his latest album, Essex Honey, which Hynes solo-produced in 2025 after taking a six-year hiatus from the Blood Orange brand.
Over the course of his career, Hynes has been experimenting and growing under the moniker Blood Orange, with his music defined by nostalgic melodies and identifiable alternative production characteristics. Within his catalog, Hynes often explores themes of human rights, race and queerness, which attract a large portion of his fanbase to his style. Essex Honey is a testament to his love for his home county of Essex, England, his grief from the recent passing of his mother and feeling like an outsider.
Not only is he a singer, Hynes has spent the majority of his career as a producer and composer. Co-writing and co-producing songs such as “Everything is Embarrassing” by Sky Ferreira or working with Lorde on her latest album Virgin, his talents extend beyond the basic musical artist, which became evident when he took the stage.
After short performances from the openers Ian Isiah and Mackeeper, Hynes opened the show with “Somewhere in Between,” from Essex Honey, kicking off the night with a hauntingly syncopated beginning featuring the sound effect of a cassette tape in fast-forward.
The set production of the show was minimal, yet effective. Much credit goes to the camerawork throughout the performance, as it synced with each beat of the track and gave Hynes’ performance a dreamlike quality. In addition to the visuals, the lightwork of the show contributed to the nostalgic undertones of Hynes’ tracks. Hynes left the audience banter to a minimum, only asking “how is everyone doing tonight?” as he cycled through strumming the guitar, singing and playing the keyboard.
The majority of Hynes’ set came from his latest album Essex Honey. He showcased his complex relationship with his hometown through creative visual compilations on screen. Hynes displayed the phrase “Pictures of my youth / Guide a promise / Of happiness,” followed by political imagery of police riots, highlights of Liverpool Street and a symbolic representation of the year 2000 on fire set to his song “Vivid Light.” This display was the creative apex of the performance, oscillating between both memory and reverence.
Following the string of songs from his newer album, Hynes also performed a series of tracks that defined his earlier musical eras, notably “Best to You” from Freetown Sound which got the whole crowd dancing; the energizing track “Uncle Ace” from Cupid Deluxe; and the sensual melancholic tune “Bad Girls.”
Monologue and ad-lib are other defining features of Hynes discography, as defined by a particularly vigorous moment of the show when the audience collectively shouted the spoken word opening of “Chosen.” The performance was proof of Hynes’ ability to elicit vulnerability not just through musical sound, but through lyrical weight as well.
Hynes is also no stranger to cross-instrumental talent. Throughout the show, he took the stage to display his talents across the guitar, piano and cello, often blending seamlessly with the band or emerging as the sole performer on stage.
The presentation came to a crescendo in the sequential performance of “Charcoal Baby” and “Champagne Coast.” “Charcoal Baby” brought together the physical production, lighting effects and visuals seamlessly to create an electrifying punch. This was beautifully brought down by the serene rhythm of “Champagne Coast,” a track that has gained massive popularity among social media platforms, contributing to Hynes’ increased following in recent years.
Hynes is an interdisciplinary talent who holds himself, his music and band with an air of nonchalant elegance that is unlike most musical artists. He delivered a cinematic show that celebrated queer identity, romantic desire and grief through poetic lyricism, leaving the audience in reflective rapture and a dreamlike state by the night’s end.