Grace Jones @ Masonic Temple 01-07-19
words & photos: Stephen McGill (@steve_mcgill)
Review
“…Jones played the entire set in massive heels with a broken toe, only occasionally pausing to mention it, but never letting it slow the performance.”
An hour and a half into Grace Jones' two plus hour show at Detroit's Masonic Temple, she is topless and hula hooping for several minutes in a display of endurance that would put anyone to shame. 20 minutes earlier she mounted her backup dancer, and an hour earlier she's demanding her side stage crew bring out her strap on dildo because she's got penis envy.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones
This is two hours of performance, and swagger that is unparalleled in live music these days, and a resilience that puts everyone to shame. The 71 year old Jones played the entire set in massive heels with a broken toe, only occasionally pausing to mention it, but never letting it slow the performance.
Grace Jones
Grace Jones
Sheer bravado was on display all night - from dancing across her heightened walk way adorned in a golden skull, to riding on a security guards shoulders in a massive hoop skirt throughout the entire audience. But lest you expect that she's merely a stunning performance artist, she let tenderness shine through, giving an impassioned speech about her willingness to play Detroit despite only selling out about half the venue, and hugging speaking to a long time fan who extolled on her importance to the LGBTQ community.
Grace Jones
Ending the set with a jaw dropping performance of Hurricane off her most recent record, left the crowd staggered. With a promise of a new album and tour coming soon, I cannot encourage you any louder to make sure you go and see her perform.
Grace Jones
