Raphael Saadiq performed without backing band; dedicated fans enjoyed every minute

By Timothy Cox

WASHINGTON, DC -- In what appears to be an unprecedented concert-approach in soul music annals, Raphael Saadiq recently offered a uniquely different way of performing during a recent appearance in the DMV (District, Maryland Virginia) metro region.

On Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, Saadiq performed his long-awaited live show, aptly titled 'Bandnowidth.' While some may have mistakenly assumed the tour name referred to access to data storage in today’s computerized-streaming world, conversely, the tour name was literal – i.e., Saadiq’s show is without any support “band” members. Primarily, it’s a one-man show, similar to a Broadway theatrical performance featuring one person onstage – in this case, the entire night, Saadiq was our only featured onstage persona.

Definitely something to get used to. For many audience members (also devout Saadiq fans), they were not disappointed and were forewarned that the concept would only feature their favorite performer. According to a few ushers, however, several ticket-buyers casually and quietly left the arena, by mid-performance. One unidentified gent from PG County said the show 'was too slow' and he was expecting to see a live band. Therefore, he left the show disappointed.

In this writer’s 30-plus years of reviewing soul music performances, I’ve never witnessed anything like this. Definitely a bold move on Saadiq’s behalf.

Avi Smith and Chay Moore are two committed Saadiq fans who took special airflights to DC to witness the weeknight show.

“I flew in from Detroit last night,” said 40-year-old Smith. Her colleague, Chay Moore, 41, caught a red-eye from the Buckeye state to see her guy. “That’s right I’m from Columbus, Ohio – and a true-blue Ohio State Buckeye football fan,” she pridefully stated. “Oh sure, I had done some due-diligence and I was already aware that he’d be onstage without a band. Frankly, it’s amazing that he could show his vulnerability so publicly,” said Moore. Smith, a self-described “well-kept woman,” said she appreciated his openness, intimacy and willingness to reveal the ups and downs of his life and career. “Vulnerable – that's the word. Not many people can do what he just did,” she added.

Throughout the two-hour show, Saadiq, the former Tony! Toni! Tone! front-man, discussed his early childhood and the challenges he faced in what he described as a “tough, hood” section of Oakland, California. He graduated from the iconic Castlemont High School in Oakland.

With legends like Sly Stone, Carlos Santana, Larry Graham and Tower of Power having laid the soul music foundation in his native Bay Area, young Saadiq and his Tonies cohorts were well-set on continuing the funk tradition as their self-proclaimed ‘Sons of Soul’ LP during their 1980s and 1990s heydays.

Saadiq, 59, relayed family inside stories, band breakup nuggets and told of his strongest influences leading him to becoming the super-talent of today. Onstage, the superior vocalist played an upright piano, two guitars and his initial love, the bass guitar. We also learned his initiation was as a child member of the Gospel Hummingbirds of Oakland. And that Miss Miles was his first piano teacher who told him 'you'll regret quitting my lessons.' "Miss Miles was right," he admitted - though he returned to advanced lessons during the Pandemic, he revealed.

A final tribute to his fallen half-brother, Dwayne Wiggins, was emotional and evoked tear-jerking moments audience-wide. His older brother died earlier this year in March of reported bladder cancer. He was 61.

Unfortunately, Saadiq’s solo presence onstage evokes thoughts of an unfinished tradition. During the Tonies’ success, they were considered the continuation of a legacy of successful live, RnB bands. On this night, one had to reminisce on the void of bassman, Elijah “EB” Baker, drummer Timothy Christian, keyboardist Carl Wheeler – or maybe even a special appearance from MAZE guitarist, John “Jubu” Smith. Would’ve been a nice touch if Saadiq’s recent shows culminated with surprise visits from some of his original Oaktown “cats.”

That would’ve also been a sweet dedication to the soulful artistry of the late Dwayne Wiggins.

Meanwhile, we’ve still got Charles Ray Wiggins aka Raphael Saadiq to contend with.

Thank Goodness !

(ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Timothy Cox is a seasoned journalist and professional musician, currently residing in Carroll County, Maryland. He can be reached at teacawks2@gmail.com).