Nikka Costa and band are currently on their Dirty Disco Tour and recently stopped at Union Stage in support her current heavily dance influenced album Dirty Disco.
On Nov. 8, the Union Stage show was very up-tempo from the very beginning with music from the new album and fans heavily involved singing, grooving to the sounds, and dancing in unison with Nikka throughout the set. Nikka, as is customary, was a non-stop ball of fire dancing most of the set to her style of soul, funk, rhythm and blues, pop and rock.
Costa opened with great dance numbers “Dirty Disco,” the title track for the new album, followed by “It’s Just Love.” From the very opening lines of “Everyone Is Welcome” in Dirty Disco, Costa was off to a fast-paced show of dance, soul and pop. “It’s Just Love” is a fantastic funk, pop and dance song that makes me feel Prince is in the house. You feel the influences of Prince and others throughout this set. Keep it High a great dance track that takes you back to the 1970s or to the early ’90s reminiscent of song and dance from groups like the Donna Summer, the Gap Band, Lisa Stansfield, or Kylie Minogue. The groove and beat are sort of infectious….it draws you in, never letting you out, and is easily some of the best dance music of 2024.
Watch the official music video for “Dirty Disco” by Nikka Costa on YouTube:
Costa did take time out during songs to talk with the energized crowd. They were very receptive and appreciative of the stories she told them about. She used this platform to introduce “Satellite Girl,” a song she had written about her 18-year-old daughter, and an aspect of growing up known by most parents of a young kid telling mom or dad some things, but obviously not everything. It is a song about “kids trying to figure” their lives out at that point Costa emphasized. Costa laughingly told the audience she hasn’t written a song about her son yet.
Costa is a very dynamic entertainer, charismatic and straight to the point, asking the crowd “how many of you never been to my shows before”? stating “welcome to my living room” as she switched up the tone and sound and even lowered the lights as she jumped into the medley part of the show starting with “Keep Pushin’.” Costa welcomed the crowd singing along with her in this segment of the show with the crowd singing “everybody got that something,” and Costa replying back “everybody got…everybody got it.” Costa told the crowd who were having a great evening and participating along with Costa that “I appreciate you’re laughing”…”it’s all about joy…right”?
Watch Nikka Costa discuss “Keep Pushin'” for Stax/GoFunkYourself in 2008 via YouTube:
One fan wearing a space type helmet gave Costa a painting as a gift during the set, and the people in attendance seemed to be very happy they attended the show that night. The conversation, laughing, and non-stop dancing was certainly proof of that.
Dirty Disco is a fantastic album, and if you are a fan of disco, dance, funk or soul, you can’t go wrong with the album, which was released in March 2024. The album helped me to think back in time to that magnificent period in the late 70s where we all experienced arguably the greatest disco era of all-time. Costa’s interpretation of dance-oriented music with great funk and soul was outstanding. She played homage to that era of music while highlighting some of the signature styles of disco, pop, funk, and soul over a 30–40-year period of time. This album should be listened to at high-volume as you dance the night away.
Local group Strutman Lane opened with a great set of pop, funk, and soul music. They are a six-piece band from DC with a great sound. They played a 30-minute set and announced during the set that they will be headlining The Atlantis on Jan. 25! The band played songs they had written during COVID-19 in 2020 described by the lead singer as songs that were “percolating in COVID” and “something you can put on” while housecleaning — for example. He further described these songs as songs that bring joy, and a non-toxic feeling as the COVID-19 time period had been difficult for everyone. The band was outstanding, with great grooves, and vocals, and a great selection to open for the non-stop pace of Nikka Costa.
Here are some photos of Nikka Costa performing at Union Stage on Nov. 8, 2024. All pictures copyright and courtesy of James Todd Miller.
Here are a few photos of Strutman Lane opening Nikka Costa at Union Stage!
