On September 25, 2024, the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas, was home to the CHARLOTTE tour with Montell Fish. As people began entering the venue, the air was heavy with excitement. Kacy Hill set the standard high with her enthusiastic performance as Montell’s opener. photos by @jacoblambertperoyea
The audience roared as soon as the opening notes of “DISTRACTION” rang out. Fish transitioned throughout his first few songs with ease and little distraction. His vocals and the dynamic between him and his guitarist started off on a high, which influenced the audience to match that, and they did not disappoint. Every note was audible from the electrifying guitar and his use of vocal range. He displayed his versatility throughout his transitions through genres including soul, rap, and new gospel.
Fish mixed songs from his previous album, Jamie, with his new unreleased songs off of his unreleased album, Charlotte. Popular songs like “Hotel” and “Bathroom” caused the crowd to erupt and sing every word. He premiered songs off his new album, Charlotte, coming out on September 27th. Fish’s fans are on a different level. The energy never lacked, and there was a new vibe for every song.
Fish transitioned into his piano performance of “What’s it take to be a star?” where he was illuminated by a singular backlight and lamp. The ambiance added an extra layer to the intimacy. His solo performance of this song created a sense of unity between the crowd. They fell silent to appreciate the work they were witnessing. It was a testament to the connection music can create between people.
Fish interrupted the smooth flow of his set to interact with the crowd. He touched on why he wrote certain pieces and how they helped him through troubling times. He communicated his troubles with religion and how he used music as his outlet to express that frustration and difficulty. He also talked about his past relationship experiences, including one of his ex-girlfriends, Jaime, who inspired one of his newer albums titled after her. This struck a chord with a lot of his audience and fostered a sense of likeness throughout.
As Montell closed, the crowd roared with enthusiasm as his guitarist performed a solo. It was a tribute to how much his music affects the people who listen to it and how it connects them to Fish. Soon after, the crowd began their chants in an effort to hear one more snippet of Fish’s talent.
Fish returned to the stage to perform an encore, where he wowed the crowd with his hit song “Fall in love with you.” He made his way into the crowd to interact with those in the front. After handing out high fives, the crowd roared with awe as he left the stage, a clear visual of his contribution to people’s lives.
Montell Fish has demonstrated time and time again why he is an upcoming star in the music industry. Everyone who was there can attest to his talent. It was an astonishing show from the carefully planned out setlist to his interactions with the audience. photos by @jacoblambertperoyea
