It’s not every day you get to see an internationally known singer-songwriter and pianist perform at a Baltimore record store, so Whitney Fidelis wasn’t going to miss her chance.
After working at Pitango Gelato & Coffee starting at around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the medical fellow figured she could do the same outside the record store, located a few blocks away.
So, she did, beating the crowd and getting work done from her laptop in the meantime.
Fidelis and her husband were among dozens who lined up outside the Fells Point record store to pick up copies of John Legend’s new album, “Muse,” and see him perform on an outdoor stage at the Sound Garden. It was her first time purchasing vinyl, being at the Sound Garden and seeing Legend live — whose “U Move, I Move” with singer Jhene Aiko was the song of the couple’s first dance at their wedding.
“It’s just an opportunity to have an intimate experience with a real artist,” Fidelis said.
She loves how multitalented Legend is and the way he carries himself, and she views the Sound Garden performance as a way for him to connect with his fans.
Longtime fan Christian Leavy, 37, of Baltimore was also at the Sound Garden Tuesday evening.
Of course, she wore a custom hoodie. This one, she made with a photo of her in all white standing next to him in the tuxedo he’s been rocking for this album. Her necklace includes a frame with an actual photo of the two of them from the last time he performed in the area, in 2024,
Leavy has been a fan of Legend’s since 2004, the same year he released, “Used to Love U,” a song she loved when in high school. She loves Legend’s “churchy” voice, sense of style and positive music, which helped her as she underwent surgery twice for a brain condition.
“He’s a very positive artist. Make me feel good about myself,” she said. “John Legend’s music got me through an MRI.”
The multiplatinum, multi-hyphenate artist was to perform his 11th and latest studio album, “Muse,” at the Sound Garden, which is one of several local record store pop-ups that Legend, 47, is making to promote his new project. In an interview with “Good Morning America” hosts on Monday, he mentioned wanting to connect with people and give them something tangible to hold onto through vinyl and CDs.
Those seeing Legend at the Sound Garden were required to purchase the album on CD or LP via their website to receive entry. The record shop planned for a 6 p.m. show, which quickly sold out. The shop added a second show at 7 p.m., which also sold out.
The Sound Garden, which was opened in 1993 by Bryan Burkert, also recently hosted Mike D of the Beastie Boys for a full set and popstar Tinashe for a DJ set. Tuesday marks Legend’s first time in the Baltimore area since performing his Christmas album at Live! Casino in Hanover in late 2024. He last performed in Baltimore at the Pier Six Pavilion in August 2014.
Artist describes new album as lush, cinematic
“Muse” is a 16-track album filled with rhythmic, uptempo tunes produced by Legend’s longtime friend Pharrell Williams and released on Oct. 23. In previous interviews, Legend described the album as lush and both sonically and lyrically cinematic, detailing an artist’s journey with their muse and romantic partner.
The leading single, “Daylight,” was released last month with a music video. “Fireflies,” with Williams, was also released last month, and Legend told NPR “Fireflies” is among his favorite songs and one of the most autobiographical on the project.
Legend said he gets choked up on the bridge, where he says, “I’m a candle in the dark/And I come from a divine spark/And I’m my ancestors’ thoughts/And their wildest dreams.”
Aside from Williams, the rap duo Clipse is featured on the album. Clipse, composed of brothers Malice and Pusha T, who like Williams are from Virginia, frequently collaborate with him and had him at the helm of their Grammy-nominated 2025 album, “Let God Sort Em Out.”
Legend featured on that project, adding his signature vocals to the opening track, “Birds Don’t Sing.” Clipse features on the song, “Bodies on the Floor,” about a troubled relationship. The music video for the song was released Monday.
The legend of Legend
Legend is a 13-time Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and producer known for piano ballads, such as “All of Me” and “Ordinary People.”
He’s the first African-American man to hold the prestigious EGOT status — having won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards.
His coming artistic endeavors include “Imitation of Life,” a musical based on the popular book and film that’s premiering at The Shed in New York on Nov. 21. Legend wrote the score for the musical.
He’s also slated to play his mentor and friend, the late musician Harry Belafonte, in the film, “The Road Home.”
Legend’s tour for “Muse” kicks off on Nov. 6 in San Diego.
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