Former background dancer takes center stage for the Apartment Tour
CHICAGO—On a cold, flooding night in the Windy City, nearly 2,000 people braved the storm to pack into the House of Blues and make it home for the night.
Jordan Ward, a rising star in the R&B scene known for his chill, alternative sound, made a stop in Chicago on March 15 for “The Apartment Tour,” highlighting his most recent and third album “BACKWARD,” released in February.
A dynamic, vibrant project that bends genres and calls on influences of soul, funk, and quiet storm, “BACKWARD” builds on the concepts of his 2023 album—aptly named “FORWARD”—and presents a fresh but familiar alternative R&B sound. Touching on things like personal growth, financial insecurity, and change, it’s a refreshing honest record that’s reflective, mellow at times, but incredibly engaging and easy to repeat.
Ward’s sold-out performance at House of Blues was very similar. With a stage decorated with upholstered chairs, plants, lamps, and a kitchen island that doubled as a DJ stand, Ward brought the “Apartment Tour” to life, creating a relaxed, intimate environment even as we were packed into the venue.
He started his set with “STRANGER,” the first song on the album and a slow, dreamy reflection on the all too common feeling of a lack of place and direction. A more vulnerable track for Ward, it also showcases his voice by employing a lower register and less vocal effects, really highlighting the growth throughout his work, seen also in the more lo-fi tracks like “JUICY,” and “CHANGE OF SCENERY.”
Moving into more groovy and energetic songs like “ROSS FIT,” “Lil Baby Crush,” and “FAMJAM4000,” Ward lit up the crowd, who sang along as he bounced around the stage, intent on engaging with the whole house.
Ward began his career as a professional dancer, working with icons like Janet Jackson, Usher, and Beyonce, and it shows. He has a warm, charismatic stage presence and an impressive stamina, dancing, jumping, and moonwalking about the stage throughout the show. To be fair, anything would feel like a cakewalk after performing at BeyChella.
Even during “SIDEKICK,” when he played Joyce Wrice’s verse in full, Ward still had that presence and connection with the audience, swaying and singing along like he was down on the floor with us.
I think that’s what’s so endearing about Jordan Ward. He has such a dynamic and commanding stage presence but maintains that connection to the audience, building an atmosphere that really felt like you were in an apartment show.
An apartment show with approximately 1,800 people, that is.
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