The IU Soul Revue performed music with socially conscious messages for Saturday’s Spring Concert at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.
Most people want love, peace and equality, Soul Revue Director Tyron Cooper said, and these topics are what the musicians sang about.
“Black popular music has the power to transcend hate,” Cooper said during the performance.
The Soul Revue is a music ensemble in the African-American Arts Institute featuring vocalists and instrumentalists. They perform black popular music such as R&B, soul, funk and hip-hop.
“We sing songs that are real,” Cooper said during the performance. “These are real experiences.”
Singers, adorned in sparkling outfits, lined the stage. Multi-colored spotlights were on the performers as they combined music and dance movements. Soloists were joined by the other musicians, their voices rising in unison.
The horn and rhythm section in the background provided nearly constant music throughout the performance.
Cooper joined the group during the concert as he introduced the performers, danced and discussed the music.
“Isn’t that therapeutic?” Cooper said as the band played. “Isn’t that like medicine? It gets right into the intrinsic self.”
The performers encouraged the audience to join in with the singing, dancing and clapping.
“This is participatory music,” Cooper said. “You can’t just sit there.”
Second-year master’s student Ignoisco Miles, a vocal coach, vocalist and spoken-word artist in the ensemble, said the performance of this music teaches the group what the music means to both African-Americans and the world as a whole.
“I want the audience to understand and grasp the importance of black art,” Miles said. “There are so many different facets of black art and black music, and IU Soul Revue shows this by performing so many different genres.”
Soul Revue allows people to appreciate the versatility of the black voice, Miles said.
The concert included contemporary songs such as “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar, in addition to songs like the 1965 hit “People Get Ready” by Curtis Mayfield.
The songs addressed themes such as violence and perseverance.
“We have a problem in our nation of violence,” Cooper said.
Many of the selections were love songs. In the second set, the performers referred to love as “the quiet storm.”
Sophomore Jasmine Dennie, who is a vocalist, costumer and makeup artist for Soul Revue, said the concert is about providing education about socially conscious topics.
Their music advocates against violence, whether it is physical or emotional, she said.
“I think this show is just basically saying stop harming each other,” Dennie said. “Let’s love together. Let’s party together. Let’s dance together. Let’s enjoy each other. Let’s learn about each other.”
Before intermission, the lights suddenly went out, concealing the performers. Words appeared against the dark background.
“Stop the violence. Put the guns down. And live life abundantly.”
