Jon Batiste turned The Anthem into a Halloween-night jubilee on Oct. 31, riding the Big Money Tour from sanctified clap-alongs to New Orleans strut.
Steve Satzberg was there to photograph the show for this Snapshots photo essay.
In a personal note, Steve wrote, “Jon Batiste is incredible. Friday’s show at The Anthem was one of the best performances I’ve ever seen. Unreal.”
ChatGPT produced this article to accompany original photographs by Steve Satzberg.
At The Anthem, Jon opened with the hand-clapping “Let God Lead,” slid into a greasy “Lonely Avenue,” and kept the room bouncing with “I NEED YOU.” Mid-show, the band stitched “American Requiem” to “FREEDOM,” a kinetic one-two that had the floor moving in waves before easing into the tender “Butterfly.” Across the night, Batiste blurred jazz fragments, R&B hooks, and pop refrains, pacing the set like a story told in pulses — short solo piano hushes, then full-band eruptions with conductor-style cues and call-and-response.
A key turn came when special guest Andra Day joined Batiste onstage as a featured vocalist within his show. Together they delivered their duet ballad “Lean On My Love,” showcasing a plush blend of voices over Batiste’s crisp piano. On this tour, Day has also been stepping forward for her signature anthem “Rise Up,” underscoring the night’s communal uplift. Her role at The Anthem matched the billing: a special guest appearance woven into Batiste’s main set.
Watch the official music video for “Lean on My Love” by Jon Batiste featuring Andra Day on YouTube:
Technically, the production favored clarity — bright, saturated lighting and a mix that let piano attack and stacked vocals cut through without smothering the bass. By the closing stretch, Batiste’s band felt like a single organism, toggling from churchy vamps to second-line swagger, and binding the crowd into one big chorus on “WE ARE.” For fans keeping score, highlights tracked closely with the evolving setlist for the date: “Let God Lead,” “Lonely Avenue,” “Worship,” “I NEED YOU,” the “American Requiem”/“FREEDOM” tandem, “Nobody’s Fault but Mine,” “Butterfly,” and “WE ARE.”
Diana Silvers delivered the evening’s dedicated opening act, setting the tone with soul-rich vocal fireworks and star power.
Here are some photos of Jon Batiste (and Andra Day) performing live at The Anthem on Oct. 31, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
Here are some photos of Diana Silvers opening Jon Batiste at The Anthem on Oct. 31, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Steve Satzberg.
