By Kathleen Cadence
As the sun broke through San Francisco's famously overcast skies, Khalid lit up Golden Gate Park. Just days after the release of his new album After the Sun Goes Down which was released on October 10, the singer-songwriter made time to connect with his fans during a daytime concert at the Robin Williams Meadow. The setlist had a blend of fan favorites and new tracks. Songs like Lovely, Eastside, Silence, and Talk had fans singing along in the park matching the warm energy of the afternoon.
The Evolution of an Artist
Khalid quickly rose to fame after his 2016 breakout Location, which quickly climbed the charts and was followed by Young Dumb & Broke. Since then he has continued to rise with multiple Grammy nominations including one for “Best New Artist” and “Song of the Year”. In recent years Khalid’s artistry has taken a more introspective turn but that seems to be changing.
After the Sun Goes Down: A New Chapter of Self-Expression
He began teasing the project with the single In Plain Sight back in August, hinting at the shift in tone and perspective. Khalid has continued to carve out his own path with his music after being outed in late 2024. He previously shared with People that “This album wouldn’t have come to be if I wasn’t outed”. While he could have let this incident bring him down, Khalid chose to let it empower him instead. Using the intense time to allow him to create instead, he gave the world a look into his personal life with his music. Particularly with the song Angel Boy which carries a lot of meaning with it being one of the first times that Khalid uses male pronouns to describe a love interest.
A Celebration of Growth and Identity
As he continues to evolve both personally and artistically, After the Sun Goes Down marks not just a new chapter in his discography but a deeper expression of self. Khalid’s performance in San Francisco was more than just a concert but a celebration of growth, identity, and connection through music.
