On June 27, fans lined up outside of Boston’s TD Garden patiently and eagerly awaiting Jhené Aiko’s The Magic Hour Tour. Many claiming their spot in line early as not to miss one of Aiko’s openers, Japanese-American singer-songwriter, UMI.
UMI opened the Thursday night show with a powerful and rich energy that had everyone in the audience captivated, including myself. It was impossible not to get lost in her soulful performance, as she sang through some of my favorite listens including “Remember Me,” “Love Affair,” and “wherever u r,” A standout moment from UMI’s performance was when she surprised fans by singing a verse of one of her songs in Japanese, showcasing her heritage.
What caught me by surprise was how grateful and dedicated UMI is to her fans. In her closing remarks, she thanked everyone in the crowd for buying a ticket to the show, getting up in the morning, and supporting her and others around her. She acknowledged how hard life can be sometimes and thanked the crowd for just being there and being amazing. This left a great impression on me, as some performers do not take the time to thank and acknowledge their fans.
UMI’s dedication also was present off stage. Following her set and before Jhené Aiko took the stage, she held a meet and greet where she thanked fans for coming to the show, signed merchandise, and took photos with them.
I have always been a fan of UMI. However, after seeing her live performance and her appreciation for her fans, my admiration has only grown.
Next time UMI is in your city, please consider buying a ticket as you won’t be disappointed. Truly, an experience I will never forget.
