Concert Review: Mobley Turns Kola House Into His Home

If you read my Secret Weapons review, I stated that every artist, even the one’s with star quality, start in small, even awkward concert spaces. The last time I went to Kola House to see Lukas Graham, it was set up to be like a VIP club, but the lounge changed, and, instead it was set up like restaurant. For Mobley, the difference only through him off for a millisecond, of which he seized the opportunity to make the crowd leave their meals and eat up his music instead.
Mobley – Solo

First, I have to admire Mobley for being a one man show, from playing all hist instruments to being his own tech guy, he is as meticulous about his performance as he is his music. In my interview with the rising star, he made it clear that he not only has stars in his eyes but also a plan. He sees his name headlining MSG, and he performed at Kola House as if he was, literally, there. He made the crowd get up from their plates and tables, and go to the center to beat a drum he had brought for audience participation. He laughed and yelled “Harder” as, at least, 20 people circled this drum and punched it with the drumsticks he provided. At first, the crowd was taken aback. Not only was Mobley breaking through the invisible wall that shields a musician from the crowd, but he was commanding the audience to break it, as well. No one was leaving Kola House without having been apart of the concert, and there were a few table of “die-hard” fans eager to appease. Mobley’s voice is not only a wealth high-scaling notes, but also a firm, strong vocal box that seems sealed to perfect pitch by melded iron. For all that he jumped from instrument to instrument, he never lost a note or the opportunity to riff through a lyric like he was ripping a spiritual sheet. He treated that stage like it was his bedroom for him to rummage, reorganize, and, ultimately, assure the space represented him, which is why when he wanted to get political or soulful, it felt natural. You were in his domain, which was a symbol of how powerful he was as performer. He twisted the restaurant towards him, and turned a place for dining into a place for dancing.
Mobley – Swoon

This may sound basic, but Mobley is a really good singer. He is a sheer reminder that talent is worth treasuring, and that “the show” of a performance all stems from how and what you can do with your voice. When he sang “Tell Me”, “Solo”, and “Swoon” the audience followed him in whatever chorus he gave, and danced when he did not ask because they could not resist the beat or the desire to make sure Mobley knew we were as much there to support him as he was to sing for us.
Mobley – Tell Me