Sonic sorcerer serpentwithfeet prowls across the stage with fearsome purpose. On a mild night in April, the Baltimore-born musician — real name Josiah Wise — is bringing his queer, gospel-influenced R&B to London’s Village Underground. He wears a flowing tunic top, slashed to expose his glittering torso; his neatly-cropped beard is also flecked with iridescent sparkles. Tonight’s set flickers from yearning, piano-led ballads, to epic-feeling anthems driven by intense bass that forms a knot in your belly. He’s playing to nearly a thousand people, but Josiah’s mesmerising onstage presence makes the cavernous venue feel as sacred as a cathedral’s crypt.
Towards the end of his set, Josiah pauses to introduce a special guest. It turns out that it’s a 12in plastic friend, “Brandy Doll,” named after the iconic R&B singer.
“IT’S IMPORTANT…
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Attitude (Digital) - 1 Issue, Summer 2018