Kali Uchis’ Return to the Bay Area was ‘Worth the Wait’

Kali Uchis, returning to the Bay Area after her first leg of the Red Moon in Venus Tour, left her San Francisco audience blown away. 

On September 26th, Kali Uchis performed a sold-out show at the Oakland Arena. Her opener, originally Dominican reggaeton artist Tokischa, was replaced with DJ Monte Christo. He played a set that warmed up the audience for the greatness that was Kali’s performance, with a mixture of pop hits, rap, and reggaeton.

As the lights of the venue turned off, signaling the beginning of Uchis’ performance, the energy from the audience was palpable. Everyone was waiting in anticipation to get their first look at the artist. She finally came into view, followed by angelic vocal runs, and was accompanied by stunning visuals and six dancers dressed in all black. She was sporting a black mini-dress, knee-high heels with ribbons at the top, a slicked back pony and makeup done to perfection. Her fans mirrored her energy, as nearly every single person in the arena was dressed for a night out with makeup looks and hairstyles clearly inspired by Kali’s fashion and personal style.

The setlist took us through the entirety of Kali’s music catalog. With performances of “Melting,” “Dead to Me,” “fue mejor,” and “Worth the Wait”,  Kali Uchis made sure that every one of her projects was represented. It was clear from the very first song she played that Kali Uchis was a performer through and through. Whether it was live vocals, choreography, or stage presence that people were hoping for when purchasing tickets, Kali Uchis made sure to deliver. Her vocals throughout the entire concert sounded either identical to the studio version or better. Notable places in which she showed off this vocal talent were during “Moral Conscience” and “Melting” when she sang in a high octave for the vocally strenuous notes in the songs. While she made sure to include songs from each of her eras, Kali also did not shy away from performing audience favorites. Crowds roared with cheers following her performances of “After the Storm,” “I Wish You Roses,” “Moonlight” and her final song of the night “telepatía.” The night felt like a party where everyone was having a great time. 

The most notable part of the night was not the incredible vocals, or one of the many instances I was impressed by the choreography or visuals, but during Kali’s performance of “Endlessly.” She walked down from the stage onto the floor to her fans and signed vinyls, reached out to fans, and showed genuine love and appreciation for those who came out to see her, all while continuing to sing through the entire song. It was clear to everyone in the audience that she cares deeply about her fans and their support of her and her music. 

The entire night at the Red Moon in Venus Tour has made it clear that seeing Kali Uchis perform is an event that nobody should miss. Kali Uchis’ Red Moon in Venus (2023) is available to stream on all music streaming platforms now.  

Article & Photos by Andrew Zendejas