Billy Porter stopped by The Late Late show with James Corden to perform his latest single Baby Was a Dancer, which is off of his upcoming Republic Records/Island UK album Black Mona Lisa.
“Baby Was a Dancer” is me, in the third person, telling the story of the trajectory of leaning into my authenticity.” says Billy, “Growing up queer, growing up black, growing up in the church, there was a lot of push back in terms of my authenticity. To talk about yourself, to have the language and the audacity to know one's place and intention on this planet.”
Billy continues, “I want people to feel encouraged and inspired and motivated to step out into the world free from all the chains that bind - from all the stuff that comes at us from other people, other directions, other organizations, whatever it is - whatever the things are that bring us down. I want this song to set folks free. There's a joy in it. There's a celebratory nature in it that I love. And I'm just excited to spread that kind of message.”
Beginning April 29, Billy willl be heading to a city near you with his first-ever career-spanning pop music concert tour: THE BLACK MONA LISA TOUR:VOLUME 1.
Expect a full band, backed by a video installation, fronted by Billy telling his life story through song. This 90-minute powerhouse event will feature his chart-topping hits “Love Is on the Way” and “Love Yourself,” a tinge of Broadway, a nod to Pose, and stunning performances of future pop classics from his forthcoming new album, Black Mona Lisa. This is an experience not to be missed.
Tickets are on sale now HERE.
4/29 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
5/1 Salt Lake City, UT Eccles Theater
5/2 Denver, CO Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre
5/4 San Jose, CA San Jose Center For The Performing Arts
5/5 San Francisco, CA Golden Gate Theatre
5/6 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Pantages Theatre
5/7 Tempe, AZ ASU Gammage
5/9 Austin, TX The Paramount Theatre
5/10 Dallas, TX AT&T Performing Arts Center
5/12 San Antonio, TX HEB Performing Hall - Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
5/13 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center
5/14 New Orleans, LA Saenger Theatre
5/16 Indianapolis, IN Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
5/18 Detroit, MI Fisher Theatre
5/20 Milwaukee, WI Bradley Symphony Center
5/21 Madison, WI Orpheum Theater
5/23 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
5/24 Omaha, NE Orpheum Theater
5/26 Chicago, IL The Chicago Theatre
5/27 Louisville, KY Louisville Palace Theatre
5/28 Pittsburgh, PA Heinz Hall
5/31 New York, NY Beacon Theatre
6/1 Philadelphia, PA The Met Philadelphia
6/2 Washington, DC Warner Theatre
6/3 Mashantucket, CT Premier Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino