Crystal Kay Brings Comprehensive, Fun-Filled 25th-Anniversary Set to L.A.: Concert Recap

Last month, Crystal Kay realized her longtime imagination of touring successful North America with her CK25 THE TOUR, celebrating 25 years successful music. Born successful Yokohama — 1 of Japan’s gateways to Western civilization since the 1850s — to an American begetter and South Korean mother, the vocalist made her debut astatine 13 and has built a vocation arsenic a span betwixt Japan, the U.S., and South Korea, seamlessly blending the American euphony she grew up connected and the J-pop she has released arsenic a nonrecreational artist.

After initially gaining prominence successful the R&B genre aboriginal successful her career, Kay shifted gears successful 2005, trying her manus astatine J-pop euphony with “Koi ni Ochitara” (When You Fall successful Love) and scoring a monolithic home hit. Since then, she has continued to grow her activities and genres done J-pop covers, jazz, dependable acting and acting (Happy Feet Two, Netflix’s Earthquake Bird), and appearances successful the Japan accumulation of the philharmonic Pippin and the Japan/U.S. co-production of the philharmonic RENT.

The vocalist had acceptable her sights connected the satellite signifier from the opening of her career. Armed with her overwhelming vocal prowess and native-level English skills, she traveled repeatedly to the U.S. in-between her activities successful Japan, actively pursuing euphony accumulation with section producers and creatives. Her signature collaborative way is “Kirakuni” (2006), produced by Jam & Lewis — the hitmaker duo down No. 1 smashes by Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, Usher and much — sung wholly successful English. This fig brought authentic R&B creation tracks dominating the U.S. marketplace astatine the clip to Japan and remains 1 of the astir fashionable songs successful her extended catalog. “Kirakuni” was unavailable connected streaming platforms for a agelong time, but fans rejoiced erstwhile it was yet released up of her caller tour.

The 39-year-old songstress’ long-standing relationship with Tremaine “Six7” Williams, the euphony shaper who worked arsenic an technologist connected her “Color Change” medium made her North American trek possible. Having besides served arsenic signifier manager for artists including Mariah Carey, Bruno Mars, Swedish House Mafia and more, Trey provided afloat enactment arsenic Kay’s U.S. Management and Tour Director for this outing. Adding further flair to the shows was a powerhouse three-piece set that included Josh Baker, a drummer who toured with Carey, on with Montez Garner connected bass and Keith Phelps connected keyboards. 

For the Los Angeles halt during her seven-concert North American circuit successful arsenic galore cities marking her 25th anniversary, Kay chose a venue successful Inglewood — The Miracle Theater — and not Hollywood oregon the downtown area. Formerly considered 1 of the city’s roughest neighborhoods, this country has seen important redevelopment successful caller years, including the opening of SoFi Stadium, which hosts NFL games and concerts by immoderate of today’s biggest acts, and Intuit Dome, a multipurpose arena serving arsenic the location of NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers. While lone a fewer sports bars successful the country were unfastened for concern and the streets successful the vicinity were quiet, the words “CRYSTAL KAY CK25 THE TOUR SOLD OUT!” lighted up the theatre entranceway and inside, the packed assemblage brimmed with anticipation and excitement for the amusement astir to begin.

Five minutes past the scheduled starting time, Crystal Kay appeared from signifier close dressed successful a chic, blase ensemble composed of a sequined achromatic top, achromatic pants, and achromatic gloves, to the unrecorded show of “hard to say” by her backing band. The assemblage jumped to their feet and applauded enthusiastically the infinitesimal she began to sing. Supported by the trio of musicians p...