Gardens on Spring Creek, October 25, 2022, Fort Collins, Colorado

Tim Van Schmidt

I think even the flowers were dancing at Gardens on Spring Creek on October 25 — the final live music show of the season at the excellent NOCO venue. The artist was revered Benin vocalist Angelique Kidjo and it was a rousing, celebratory performance.

If the flowers weren’t dancing, at least a full third of the audience was up and moving, making a big happy dance floor in front of the stage.

This was no toss-off gig. Kidjo was WORKING, maintaining strong vocals while strutting, twirling and constantly engaging the crowd. From Talking Heads covers to songs in various languages, the positive underpinnings and rhythmic joys of African pop played happily underneath it all.

But that doesn’t mean this was light music — Kidjo infused some inspiring messages into the upbeat, infectious rhythms. Kidjo’s show was just a fine way to usher in the cooler nights of autumn.