Noise Pop: Antony and the Johnsons emerge from the shadows

Pub date February 25, 2009
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SectionNoise

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Wailin’: Antony and the Johnsons at the Masonic. All photos by Ariel Soto.

By Ariel Soto

Antony and the Johnsons performed at Nob Hill Masonic Center on Feb. 24, the first night of the Noise Pop music festival. The stage was lit by nothing more than seemingly soft candle light. The audience grew ever so quiet as Antony began to play the piano, his voice stretching and weaving throughout the auditorium. Between songs, he spoke about how he felt to be back in San Francisco, remembering the days when he used to panhandle down near Union Square.

Times have obviously changed: instead of shivvering in the cold, he’s now playing to packed concert halls full of adoring fans. Antony is the star of the band, but it’s obvious that he’s rather shy, dipping behind shadows, letting the audience just barely get a glimpse of that luscious black hair.

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