TDE’s SiR stopped in Austin on his much anticipated Life is Good Tour upon his latest LP
release, HEAVY. Bringing support from his brother, Davion Ferris, as well as past
collaborator Zacari, it was certain to be a memorable night for fans and an incredible
celebration of the moment to bask in smooth harmonies from the three artists.
On August 11th, Inglewood’s very own SiR blessed Austin with his presence at Emo’s in the celebration of his fourth full-length LP, Heavy, which was released earlier this year. The California native has been building a solid foundation of loyal fans for years with his impeccably smooth voice, incredible vocal range, and poetic lyrics. SiR has become a prime example of what happens when talent meets dedication. After attending the Los Angeles Film School to perfect his craft, the singer earned the attention of one of the most prolific labels in hip-hop TDE, where he shares a roster with the likes of ScHoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad and Kendrick Lamar. Having come from a family of gifted artist, being the son of Jackie Gouche, a once backing vocalist for Michael Jackson, and the brother of singer Davion Ferris as well as rapper D Smoke, SiR has had a lot to live up to, and over the years he’s certainly delivered, cultivating his own unique style of R&B.
While the Life Is Good Tour had immense success, having sold out in almost every city, the year came with its low points as well. Sir’s Toronto date that was scheduled for July 30th, was abruptly canceled due to what many speculate as retaliation from Drake for his rap beef between SiR’s labelmate, Kendrick, making him the second TDE artist to get the no-go from Toronto this year after Schoolboy Q’s concert cancellation. Not only that, but the day before he was scheduled to perform at the Austin venue, SiR, along with his brothers, shared the devastating news that their mother had tragically passed. Despite all the hurdles and hardships this man had overcome, SiR shed nothing but positivity and good energy during his unforgettable performance and proved to everyone that through the pain, life is still worth celebrating.
Zacari, fellow R&B artist and former SiR collaborator, kicked off the show with an incredible vocal and guitar performance. Through soul and grace, the artist played his own hits as well as collaborative features from songs such as “LOVE” from Lamar. Zacari’s short but sweet performance set the tone for what the audience would experience for the rest of the evening and provided an excellent opening for the show.
Following Zacari came Davion Ferris to deliver an amazing, show stopping set. Ferris’ raw and intense vocals commanded the stage in a way that made his presence felt throughout the entire venue. Singing songs of heartbreak and betrayal, Davion wore his emotions on his sleeve and made you feel everything that he sang to the core. With a powerful stage presence and a heavy delivery, Ferris had the audience at their knees feeling as though they knew every word to his songs, even if they didn’t.
Finally the man of the hour was set to hit the stage. After his last show in Texas was canceled
due to COVID in 2020, the audience was gleaming with anticipation at their long awaited chance to see one of the R&B greats of the new generation. Upon hitting the stage, the show began on a high note with the hit single “Karma,” a song about guilt and anxiety of future consequences of what may come for past actions. With a smile on his face and a simple yet remarkable fit, SiR delivered banger after banger, moving into singles such as “John Redcorn,” “You Can’t Save Me” and “No Evil.” The Headliner even brought out opener Zacari to perform their song together, “Mood.” Regardless of the weight that may have been felt on his shoulders, SiR came through for the fans with beautiful songs and fantastic energy. Nothing was going to stop this man from giving the people what they came for. About half way through the show, the singer gave one lucky fan the chance of a lifetime to perform a duet with him. A young woman from San Antonio shut the show down by performing amazing vocals on the song “That’s Why I Love You,” even blowing SiR out of the water. She really made a moment for herself and was celebrated by the crowd after knocking the song out of the park and was eventually invited backstage to watch the rest of the show. Love, beauty and emotions filled the room on an unforgettable night of amazing music and cemented the fact that great music can heal us.
I’m a photographer currently based in Austin after recently relocating from Denver, CO. I graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. I love music of all genres and have been going to live shows since I was 5 years old. Some of my favorite artist currently include Freddie Gibbs, Lola Young, Ivy Lab and Knocked Loose, but that is always subject to change.
