BLOOD ORANGE IN CONCERT:
The stylish sonic palette of musical chameleon and indie impresario Dev Hynes has helped define the sounds of ingenues ranging from Sky Ferreira to Solange Knowles, but nowhere is his wistful retro pop more compelling than his solo work as Blood Orange. Touring with a full band for the first time since the project's inception, Hynes' cuts a mesmerizing figure on stage, punctuating his feathery croon and spindly guitar work with the idiosyncratic dancing seen in the video for recent single "Chamakay". From the slinky strut of "Sutphin Boulevard" to the sax outro of "Uncle ACE", Blood Orange's lush sound assumes even greater depth and dimension with the addition of live drums and brass, ensuring that Hynes and Co. will deliver their most fully-realized sets yet on their upcoming tour.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Born and raised in East London, Dev Hynes was involved in the city's short-lived but bright-burning dance punk outfit Test Icicles before making his solo debut as Lightspeed Champion in 2008. Two albums released under that moniker both fared well in the UK on the strength of their eclectic indie rock sound, but the project's tone was markedly different from the sinuous brand of '80s-inflected R&B Hynes unveiled on Blood Orange's 2011 debut single "Dinner". The project's debut LP Coastal Grooves dropped a few months later, earning praise for its relaxed vibe and minimal, spacious compositions. 2013 sophomore album Cupid Deluxe was an even bigger success, landing Blood Orange on numerous year-end lists and paving the way an extensive tour that features a full backing band.
