The Panamania fireworks were no match for Janelle Monáe Sunday night.
A bold claim, we know. But the fact is, the 29-year-old singer exploded onto the Panamania stage to greet her thousands-strong audience at Toronto's Nathan Phillips Square and pretty much destroyed the audience with her flawless performance and stunning style.
We have proof. Be warned, your heart will be destroyed too.
Janelle kicked off her set in signature style. Here's her opening look: black and white theme -- check. Dramatic textured jacket -- check. Classic Monáe pompadour -- check. Killer pipes and a level of energy not known to most humans - check.
Black-and-white theme in black and white:
Let's take a moment to note some key details: Suspenders. Bow tie. Leather cut-off gloves. Triangle earrings -- are they made of Perler beads? We want them.
Monáe had the audience wrapped around her finger by the time she launched into covers of James Brown's 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' and The Jackson 5's 'I Want You Back:'
But when she addressed the deaths of Mike Brown (who was killed a year ago Sunday), Sandra Bland and Freddie Gray before launching into 'Cold War,' she earned even more respect:
Monáe kept the audience on their toes every second of the way. Shown here: new jacket, same powerhouse:
Swooning for days over Janelle in these shades, and for her renditions of 'Primetime,' 'Yoga' and 'Electric Lady' :
And there aren't many who can have a James Brown cape moment, but Ms. Monáe did, and did it right:
By the time she went out into the crowd, they were putty in her hands.
Consider us changed for the better.
Main photo credit: Ryan McNeil