A Night at the Triple Rock with Saul Williams

I could barely believe that I was going to see Saul Williams—the Saul Williams—performing at a small venue where I’d seen a few local artists. It seemed almost out-of-place. He should be performing on Mars. This guy is too legendary in my mind to play the Triple Rock Social Club on a Monday night.

Saul Williams. The man who married classic poetry and hip-hop beats. The visionary who inspired so many lines in my own creative writing. He who wrote and loudly, coolly spoke:

“Our music is our alchemy.
We stand as the manifested equivalent of three buckets of water
and a handful of minerals,
thus realizing that those very buckets turned upside down
supply the percussive factor of forever.
If you must count to keep the beat then count.
Find your mantra and awaken your subconscious.”
-Coded Language

He who crafted and spat:

“They’re paying me to record this, even more if you hear it.
Somebody tell me what you think I should do with the money.
Yes, friend, tell me what you think I should do with the money.
Exactly how much is it gonna cost to free Mumia?
What’s he gonna do with his freedom? Talk on the radio?
Radio programming is just that—a brainwashing gleamed of purpose.
To be honest, some freedom of speech makes me nervous.
And you looking for another martyr in the form of a man,
hair like a mane with an outstretched hand.
In a roar of hearts, thoughts, reactionary defensiveness, and counter-intelligence,
what exactly is innocence?
Fuck it, I do believe in the existence of police brutality.
Who do I make checks payable to?”
-Penny for a Thought

The man’s a genius. And I was going to see him.

Gathered together in the basin before the stage, along the railings making part of a circle, and on the floor of the bar area, the crowd exploded as Saul and his guys appeared. There was the DJ, the drummer, and the auxiliary percussionist with a trombone. They dove into a long intro and Saul’s recent work.

My experience with Saul’s music has centered primarily on his album Amethyst Rockstar and later songs “List of Demands (Reparations)” and “Black Stacey.” The tracks on Rockstar feature Saul’s spoken-word poetry set to hip-hop and electro-infused beats. That’s what I was hoping to witness at the Triple Rock. Instead, Saul sang to rock-style compositions. The music was still good, and he has a strong singing voice. All in all, it was very enjoyable. Whether due to the technical setup or the crowd’s enthusiasm, I had a hard time deciphering the lyrics—disappointing, as Saul’s writing is what I love so much about him. But much to my thrill, he incorporated some of his Rockstar poetry and other spoken word between numbers.

The show was certainly worth the trip from Lakeville and the $15 cover. Saul’s band is incredible. Despite technical difficulties with the DJ’s equipment on “List of Demands,” the rest of the members continued on with the song, with the crowd supplying a vocal rendition of the techno line. Saul engaged the audience, and vice versa. I’m so grateful to have seen one of my heroes live in concert.