Following his sold-out headline shows in New York City and Los Angeles, JVKE set out on his debut North American tour ‘What Tour Feels Like.‘ The 23-city summer stretch made stops in Chicago, Austin, and Washington D.C.
On Saturday, September 2, the tour made its final stop in Boston, a full circle moment for JVKE, who wrote, recorded, and produced his debut album this is what __ feels like (Vol. 1-4) with his brother ZVC, in their neighboring Rhode Island home. To celebrate, the show was live-streamed.
The night began with Maisy Kay, a rising singer-songwriter from the UK. Her haunting pop vocals captivated fans, as she performed originals like “The Storm,” and a rendition of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”
As Kay left the audience wanting more, Alt/Pop singer-songwriter HARIZ took the stage. “My name is HARIZ. It rhymes with Febreze, and I smell just as good,” he joked.
His comical rhymes were good, but his lyrical rhymes were even better. His eight-song set included fan favorites like “Break Up Season” and his upcoming release “Without You,” as well as a cover of “As It Was” from little-known artist Harry Styles.
HARIZ effortlessly boasted his varied talents, as he seamlessly transitioned between guitar and piano.
Prior to hitting the road, HARIZ expressed his excitement to get to interact with his fans in person. “I can’t wait to get back on the road to create new memories with new faces and reunite with fans who have supported me since day 1!”
Some of those memories would include the ridiculous messages and video clips the A/V team put up on the screen behind him. Whether it was commentary or Titanic movie clips, fans got a kick out of the on-screen banter and HARIZ’s reactions to it.
The shenanigans continued when Maisy Kay and crew members rushed the stage for a dance party complete with costumes and feather boas. “How could I ever be alone with those guys?” he asked the crowd as he sang “X My Mind.”
“I could not ask for a better last stop. Boston, I love you,” HARIZ called out to the crowd as energy mounted for JVKE.
However, before the genre-bending artist could take the stage, the crowd erupted for special guests SB19, a boy band from the Philippines. In a rare North American performance, Pablo, Stell, Ken, Justin, and Josh danced and sang through hits, including “GENTO” and “I WANT YOU.” Boston fans got to discover what over 2 million monthly Spotify listeners already know.
And then without further ado, it was finally time for the man of the golden hour …
The lights went down, as a sustained hum echoed through the venue. “I am JVKE’s emotional intelligence,” an Alexa-like voice narrated as she invited us into his inner thoughts and the place where it all began: his childhood bedroom.
Like his debut album, his setlist was broken into 4 stages (falling in love, heartbreak, sadness, and falling out of love). JVKE’s abilities as a multi-instrumentalist helped express the intricacies of each emotion with the softness of the ukulele and piano and the contrasting intensity of the drums.
Just like the listening parties he reminisced about hosting as a kid, he performed various track listings from the edge of his bed and at a desk onstage.
As a Hillsong Church member, JVKE was excited to share in his gratitude for how far he had come from those early days as he thanked God and the crowd with a rendition of “So Will I” from the band Hillsong UNITED.
Other covers on the setlist included Juice WRLD’s “Lucid Dreams” and Galantis’ “Dandelion,” in which he has a feature.
The night culminated with the songs that launched JVKE’s career into new dimensions, “Upside Down” and “Golden Hour.”
As a special treat, fans got to hear two different versions of the euphoric “Golden Hour,” the original, and the SB19 remix, in which the band joined JVKE on the stage.
As he and SB19 took their bows under fluttering butterfly confetti, JVKE smiled out into the crowd basking in the glow of his golden hour.
JVKE’s tour may be over, but HARIZ will be back on the road beginning September 13, supporting Jake Miller on his previously announced The Note To Self Tour. You can grab your tickets here!
