Last night I had the joy of experiencing Krystle Dos Santos’ show A History of Motown – and what a night it was!
The first half of the performance was nothing short of unbelievable. Krystle’s vocals were absolutely incredible, and the storytelling was tight, moving, and full of energy. I loved how the show wasn’t just about the music (which is what I was expecting), and also about the history, the context, and the culture that gave rise to Motown. It felt like part theatre, part concert, and part documentary – all wrapped together by Krystle’s magnetic presence.
She brought us through the legendary stars: Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, The Jackson 5, Stevie Wonder – and so many more. One of my favorite moments was her sharing her personal story about traveling to Seattle to see Stevie Wonder in concert. It gave such an authentic, human touch to the show and made her passion for the music shine even brighter.
And let’s talk about the music! Having an eight-piece band on stage made everything feel rich, full, and alive. The back-up singers were good enough – they shone best when supporting Krystle, though in the second half when they took on more of the spotlight, it didn’t land quite as strongly for me.
If I am honest, the second half of the show didn’t feel as well-crafted as the first. At times Krystle had to read her text from notes, which broke the flow a little, and the structure seemed newer or less polished compared to the seamless first half. That said, I still enjoyed it, learned a lot, and never once stopped appreciating her incredible vocals, her presence, and her storytelling.
What really struck me was just how engaging Krystle is. She is not just a singer – she is a performer, an actress, a storyteller, a comedian even. She brought warmth, laughter, and passion to the stage in a way that kept the audience leaning in.
It’s amazing to think this show started seven years ago in a school and has grown into what it is today. After debuting at the Firehall last April and selling out 13 consecutive shows, they asked her to come back this summer, and I am so glad they did as I could get the chance to see it.
All in all, it was the perfect Saturday night: fun, soulful, educational, and uplifting. Krystle Dos Santos brought Motown to life, and I walked away with a deeper appreciation for both the music and the movement behind it.
