Houston has raised its fair share of legends — and a few future ones, too. Among them is singer, songwriter, and producer Keshi. Fresh off bucket-list milestones like Coachella, a sold-out night at Madison Square Garden, and now deep into his biggest tour yet, Keshi returned home ready to give Houston the full Requiem experience.
Before he was selling out arenas across the globe, Keshi worked as an oncology nurse at the Texas Medical Center. Music was always his outlet, and his ability to translate themes of love, loss, and self-reflection into sound quickly set him apart. His 2018 debut EP The Reaper sparked a devoted following and led to a trilogy of EPs (skeletons, bandaids, always), a record deal with Island Records, and ultimately two Billboard Top 30 albums — Gabriel in 2022 and Requiem in 2024.
The sun was just beginning to set as fog crept across the stage and the band took their places. The crowd’s screams filled 713 Music Hall, reaching a fever pitch as Keshi stepped into the spotlight. “Houston f–ing Texas!” he roared, kicking off the night with Requiem’s opening track, “Amen.” Dressed in dark denim pants layered with belts, a textured jacket over his bare chest, and a cowboy hat fit for the occasion, Keshi looked every bit the hometown hero.
No matter how many times you’ve streamed Requiem, nothing prepares you for hearing it live. Songs like “Say” and “Night” carried an entirely new weight, amplified by the live band and the thousands of voices belting every word back to him. The energy sent chills through the room.
The setlist only grew stronger. After delivering “Kiss Me Right,” the career-defining “The Reaper,” and fan favorite “Beside You,” Keshi surprised Houston with his unreleased track “WANTCHU” — a moment that had the entire venue losing its mind. His passion for creating doesn’t rest, even on the road; he continues to carve out new music that stays true to his sound yet feels timeless.
“Who came with someone tonight?” he asked with a grin. What followed was “Soft Spot,” a hopelessly romantic ballad that first caught fire on TikTok and has since soundtracked countless love stories around the world.
Then came a hometown moment that couldn’t have been scripted better. Performing “Texas” in the Lone Star State, Keshi brought his journey full circle, paying tribute to the place that shaped him. The night slowed further during “Dream,” where fans lit up the venue with their flashlights, creating a second set of stars in the city.
The emotional highs and lows continued as Keshi moved through Requiem cuts like “Just To Die,” “War,” and “Bodies,” while also taking fans back in time with “drunk,” “TOUCH,” and “2 soon.” Each song hit with its own kind of intimacy, showing the range of his artistry.
Closing the night, Keshi performed “Euphoria” before leaving the stage. But Houston wasn’t ready to let go. A deafening chant brought him back out for one final performance: “Id.” With that, he completed the perfect circle — opening the show with the first track of Requiem and closing with the last, crafting a show that was as intentional as it was unforgettable.
From start to finish, Keshi gave Houston more than just a concert — he gave them a masterpiece. And if the Requiem World Tour is any indication, his story as one of Houston’s greats is only just beginning.
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