As the crowd flooded into Union Stage recently, a wave of excitement filled the air, promising an amazing night ahead. With drinks flowing and a haze of smoke swirling around, the majority of concertgoers were already in a state of bliss. Soon, headliner Ab-Soul and opener Fre$h took the stage.

At Union Stage on June 29, Fre$h blazed the stage, captivating the crowd with his infectious music and side-splitting jokes. However, a surprise awaited everyone when a masked individual appeared, fooling everyone with their hair. It was a moment that could only be truly appreciated by those present—a gender reveal that had everyone laughing.

Following Fre$h’s set, the DJ took over for a thrilling 30-minute setlist featuring TDE all-stars and the latest hits. The moment the beat dropped, AB-Soul emerged, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they instantly connected with his lyrics. Fans passionately recited every word, displaying their devotion.

AB-Soul, born Herbert Anthony Stevens IV, took a pause to express his gratitude for the love he received, acknowledging the fans’ support. One fan, Avery, even passed him her phone with a heartfelt note, expressing her years of fandom. AB-Soul graciously accepted the gesture before continuing the electrifying show. As I moved to the side of the venue, the sight of countless bobbin heads filled my vision, united by the song “Bucket” from Ab-Soul’s latest album Herbert.

Watch the official music video for “Herbert” by Ab-Soul on YouTube:

After the concert, I approached Avery to gather her thoughts on the show, asking if Ab-Soul had met all her expectations. With a wide grin, she replied, “Ab-Sol-utely!” I further inquired about her favorite song from the performance. She couldn’t contain her excitement that he had performed “Terrorist Threats” from his iconic album Control System, released in 2012.

Curiosity struck again and as I sought the opinion of another fan, Karma, about her experience at the concert. She declared that it had been a lit night, exceeding all her expectations. One of her standout moments was witnessing Ab-Soul blend both new and old music into his set. I asked if there was a song she had hoped he would perform. She expressed “Empathy,” a track from his album, Control System.

D.C was the second to last show of The Intelligent Movement Tour. Ab-Soul hadn’t been on the road since The TDE Championship Tour back in 2018. It was a pleasure to be in attendance especially since I’m a TDE representative.

Here are some photos of Fre$h and Ab-Soul performing at Union Stage on June 29, 2023. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Mecie Gold.