I’m not your average girl from the video… My worth is not determined by the price of my clothes… No matter what I’m wearing I will always be… the India Arie!

I remember when my mom and I would sing that song together every time it came on the radio… most times, mom was messin’ up the lyrics but  I loved that she loved India Arie as much as I did.

“A Songversation with India Arie,” India Arie’s first tour in four years, brought Club Nokia at L.A. Live an evening of good music from an amazing musician, lyricist and overall entertainer.

Thanks to the Living Social deal I purchased, we got two balcony seats at Club Nokia, drink vouchers, parking and access to the VIP lounge (which I didn’t remember we had until we were driving off). Note: Living Social is always hooking up tickets to events at L.A. LIVE.

SIDE NOTE: If you get ‘General Admission’ tickets at Club Nokia, like I did for Erykah Badu, you will be standing the entire show (2-3h). So when you wake the next day, it’ll feel like you were hit by a bus in your sleep! If you have to go this route, wear sneakers… forget looking cute… You’ve been warned!

Anyway… The opening act, Gramps Morgan, started right on time. Honestly, he was a great performer but homeboy fake-played the piano – not cool!

When India Arie came on, she wore these long down-your-back dreadlocks. After the song ‘I Am Not My Hair’ featuring Akon, she did a twirl and pulled the locks straight off! – instant transformation to a shaved-head India. Later in the show, we actually got to see a recording of the ceremony where  just days prior, she had her locks cut off.

She performed all the hits: Video, Brown Sugar, Cocoa Butter, new songs like my personal favorite “Moved By You” and so much more. India Arie was literally on stage for 2 ½ hours. Talk about getting your money’s worth!

India Arie let us into her soul that night. I felt like we were besties at the end of the show. I felt her pain, her joy. We even got to meet her mom who grabbed the mic at the end of the show and said “yall make sure to buy my baby’s album…” So adorable… and a little embarrassing!

Pros: Full show – sang all the hits; versatility; Lessons (she had quotes on the screen the entire show that made you pause…)

Cons: Venue: Not very many options for food; took forever to exit (fire hazard); Show: opening act fake played the piano

India Arie – 9/27/13 – Club Nokia, Los Angeles