Heading out on a national tour on album release week is a bold move, especially when you’re playing iconic and big venues like Enmore Theatre, The Forum and Fortitude Music Hall. You run the risk of the audience not being familiarised with or connecting to the new material, but when it’s done right it can actually be a perfect way to introduce the world of a record directly to your fans. And luckily, that was how Genesis Owusu’s tour in support of his brand new album “REDSTAR WU & THE WORLDWIDE SCOURGE” turned out. 

Returning to Enmore Theatre where he famously broke the floor in 2022, Genesis Owusu delivered an energetic, fast-paced, and impressive show that brought fans directly into the world of his new record. With giant prop amps on either side of the stage, a massive lighting rig, and a full live band made up of a drummer, a keyboardist, 2 guitarists, and KYE on backing vocals,  this show felt more realised conceptually than the album tour for “STRUGGLER”. You were immediately drawn in with album tracks “PIRATE RADIO”, “STAMPEDE” and “HELLSTAR”, before he offered a quick taste of old material with “Waitin’ On Ya” and “WUTD”. 

Majority of the setlist was new material, but it translated so well to the live format with the live band adding such an undeniable energy. “DEATH CULT ZOMBIE” was a clear standout and offered a chaotic energy in the set that was previously given by “Stay Blessed” and “Drown” from their respective albums. And then “LIFE KEEPS GOING” felt like the pinnacle live moment from the record with all of the elements from Genesis’ delivery, to the band, and the lighting all coming together so perfectly. 

“4LIFE” was the show’s most surprising moment with a stripped back version that saw him getting everyone to kneel while he stood in the middle of the crowd to perform the song. And It came as no surprise that “Don’t Need You” from his first album was the singalong moment of the night, while closing song “Leaving The Light” was an absolute riot and saw a circle pit opening up in the crowd. 

I was left feeling really disappointed after Genesis Owusu’s “STRUGGLER” album tour, but I was not left feeling that way on this particular album tour. It actually made me appreciate the record in a new way, and gave me an excitement to keep listening and exploring the record in its entirety.