On Friday April 8th, Tank and the Bangas came to August Hall in San Francisco, and gave a performance that left people candidly dancing to their own hearts content with each other, with each individual smiling from ear to ear. Not only did Tank and the Bangas perform songs from their albums Green Balloon and Friend Goals, but they also opened their stage to the audience for a twerk off and infused poetry and storytelling—creating a concert experience that was about much more than just music. Tank and the Bangas’ performance acknowledged the difficulties of being Black in America but focused on celebrating the beauty of Black life, expertly creating a vibrant space for the audience to step into the joy in themselves. Their passion for their music was seen through their facial expressions and body language, making it very evident that they were happy to be there. Their gratitude and dedication towards performing inspired the audience to really get involved with the music and the moment in front of us. Overall, Tank and the Bangas performance served as a reminder to celebrate the beauty of humanity and to let loose and have fun; by accepting the ills of American life they step forward and dance into the possibilities of American life.
Photos and Article by Ansley Nguyen Stotelmyre