Khalid closes out Apple's Up Next Live at D.C.'s Carnegie Library

Khalid closed out Apple's Up Next series with a performance outside of D.C.'s Carnegie Library on Saturday night.

In what turned out to be a perfect summer evening, both weather-wise and musically, the consistently rising R&B/Hip-Hop singer delivered the ideal laid-back vibe to the lucky fans who had won entry via a lottery, lined up around the block and, in some cases, traveled great distances in order to attend (the young woman standing next to me had driven four hours just to be there).

Khalid's performances of songs including "Coaster," "Better" and "Young, Dumb and Broke" was enough to cause guests staying across the street at the Renaissance Hotel to clamor for their balconies and press their faces against the hotel windows to take in the young singer (he gave them a thumb's up during the set) and also stop pedestrian traffic on K Street. (For those of you who missed it, it will be available as a live EP via Apple Music. No release date has been announced.)

Khalid should get used to stopping people dead in their tracks. His baritenor range, songwriting ability and his completely guileless stage presence (I've never seen an artist look so genuinely happy to be on stage) will be enough to keep the fans lining up for years to come.

Photo credit: Greg Noire