Join the church of SAINT JHN during Festival Season with Jordan Hawkins & Honey Bxby at The Novo
Photos & Word by Asha Moné
SAiNT JHN at The Novo By Asha Moné
"When I say SAINt JHN, you say Amen.”
“SAINt JHN!"
“AMEN!”
“SAINt JHN!”
“AMEN!”
Welcome to church, or should I say "Festival Season." Fresh off The Mojave Stage at Coachella, the Guyanese-American rock star straight out of New York, SAINT JHN bringing his genre-blending sound to Los Angeles with the "Guyanese Moshpit" at The Novo.
Kicking off an intense night of cult-worthy behavior, supporting acts by Jordan Hawkins and Honey Bxby bring the heat.
First up is Jordan Hawkins. Hailing from the Carolinas but based in Los Angeles, he's an eccentric southern vocalist with a knack for electric guitar, high notes, and a gang on "Emotions" he likes to wear on his leather sleeves. It was his job to warm up the crowd, and with a flash of his pearly whites and a strum of his Gibson Flying V, he gained plenty of "Crazy" new fans to follow him throughout the tour.
Jordan Hawkins at The Novo By Asha Moné
Honey Bxby at The Novo By Asha Moné
Next was the undeniable Honey Bxby, the power vocalist from New Jersey, holding the stage down for the ladies on SAiNT JHN's tour. If you've been on the East Coast the past summer, you've likely heard her single "Touchin’," or its spicy remix featuring Busta Rhymes. However, she is more than just a popular single; her vocals and stage presence are commanding. She's cracking jokes, and as someone said in the crowd, "That's a strong voice for a small body." It is, but she's fantastic. After hearing her nostalgic-driven song "LEFT EYE" and the ballad "Right On Time" live, I believe she has the potential to deliver the gritty, raw R&B sound that the East Coast has been eager to showcase since Faith Evans, especially in a genre currently dominated by Southern influences.
Now, for the man of the hour: SAINt JHN. For years, I have seen the dapper fashion icon at all your favorite New York Fashion Week runway shows,roaming up and down SOHO—always personable and captivating. But at The Novo, he demands attention. He engages the audience, oozing sex appeal, even leaping into the crowd creating moshpits, embodying the essence of a true performer—crazy, right?
SAiNt JHN, his namesake bestowed upon him and his siblings, all named after saints, by his mother, stands out with his unique style. It’s a mix of EDM, trap, pop punk, and R&B. Just like the giant cross on stage, SAINt JHN is distinctive. While the crowd may not have always known exactly what they wanted, the excitement, storytelling, and his incredible stage presence made for a must-see experience at The Novo. SAINt JHN embodies what I would consider a world music artist: complex and ever-changing. On stage, "Never Met Superman" feels like a stadium anthem for the hopeful, while songs like "Body On Me," "Hunting Nirvana," and "Wedding Day" bridge the gap between trap music and pop punk.
Whether you discovered his music recently with tracks like "Trap" featuring Lil Baby or "BROWN SKIN GIRL" with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, and WizKid, or you’ve been listening to the "Roses (Imanbek Remix)" from five years ago, there’s something for everyone. The church of SAiNT JHN is " not a cult" just a meeting place of open minded people, searching for somEthing, open to all. It's right on time.
Some words of wisdom from SAiNT JHN at The Novo
"We don't cry in SOLITUDE. Our pain isn't singular. We all going through some fucked up shit and all of us is surviving. Look at yall. You know why you show up for me. It's cause you show up for yourselves. On a night like tonight. On an [occasion] when most people say it's terrible to be selfish. I say self love is amazing. Clap for your mother fucking selves."
"I say that with GRATITUDE and HUMILITY. I as one think from you for the people who ran away from church or religion his who life. I ran from the church to the strip club. I ask one thing of you. Every night before I take the stage and every night before I leave the stage, I say a prayer and I mean every word of it. I know we all have different beliefs but when we come in this room we believe in the same thing: the power of progress and the hope [of] love. Cause all of us is coming from the same place and headed to the same destination. We coming from somewhere worse to somewhere better. That is the hope. So tonight I was [entering] the church of SAiNT JHN wil you do the most gracious thing and say a prayer with me before I leave. All I ask is that you bow your heads and close your eyes and repeat after me. That is the only ask I ask of you tonight. Is that ok."
"Dear Lord, Thank you for a good night. A safe flight. The right touch. The LA lights. And please keep me away from those fuck niggas for life. AMEN"
P.S. - I want to hear "Whose Ex Wife Is This" live!
WHERE TO SEE THEM NEXT?
SAINT JHN w/ Honey Baby & Jordan Hawkins Concerts
April 18, 2025 - Coachella
Apr. 22, 2025 - Vancouver, BC - Vogue Theatre
April 23, 2025 - Seattle, Washington - Showbox Sodo
April 24, 2025 - Portland, Orgen - McMenamins Crystal Ballroom
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