Inside the Weird and Wonderful World of FKA Twigs' Performance-Art Show
Hot. Damn.

"Push things forward, instead of dumbing things down," FKA Twigs begged during last night's curtain call—and having both commanded the stage like Beyoncé and mystified the crowd à la Björk, rest assured: she's a provocateur who practices what she preaches.
For the third night in a row, the Brooklyn Hangar warehouse in Sunset Park reached a fever pitch thanks to Twig's "Congregata" show, self-directed with assistance from Ryan Heffington and choreographer Aaron Sillis, which she staged in London last year, and reprised for New Yorkers as part of the Red Bull Music Academy Festival. Congregata, which she translates to "coming together" in Latin, was just that.
While Twigs was, and will always be, a force to be reckoned with on her own (if you haven't heard her, may we recommend blessing your ears with "Water Me" or "Pendulum"), the performance was nothing if not a collaboration bolstered by a four-piece band and a dozen male backup dancers—including voguing legends David Magnifique, Benjamin Milan, Dominant from Wet Wipez, and members of Vogue Evolution—many of whom were in her conceptual "Glass & Patron" music video. From duckwalks to leg splits, the show was an utter homage to voguing with fiercely-acrobatic battles, each slave-to-the-beat contortionist more nimble than the next.
"A lot of people on YouTube and Instagram say 'Twigs is the queen of voguing.' But I'm really not, I'm still learning," explained Twigs to the crowd. Modesty aside, her professional-trained dance prowess and ethereal, avant-R&B vocals were on full display both solo and accompanied by her troop. It was a true spectacle for the senses, from her most sexually-charged track "Papi Pacify,"during which she exercised her carnal powers entwined in a dancer's arms, to "Two Weeks," where she snaked around the stage swirling an ultra-long ribbon of red chiffon through the air as she amorously cooed, "You know I'd quench that thirst." Editor's Note: Hot. Damn.
Speaking of quenching thirst, Twigs' wardrobe was equally as stimulating. Her wardrobe, largely comprised of bondage-inspired bustiers, corsets, and leather over-the-knee boots, had pieces designed by her stylist Karen Clarkson, mother Bonita Barnett, and Alexander McQueen.
While some might argue that Twigs has gained more recognition because of her fiancé Robert Pattinson (who we may or may not have bumped into at the bar), we can say with conviction that her out-of-this-world vision and rapturous presence will be blowing minds for years to come. And Congregata as a standalone entity is already something of legend, if the chatter amidst the 2000-person crowd pouring out of the Hangar was any indication.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Lauren Valenti is Vogue’s former senior beauty editor. Her work has also appeared on ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, and in In Style. She graduated with a liberal arts degree from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Arts, with a concentration on Culture and Media Studies and a minor in Journalism.
-
The Business of Beauty: How Science-Driven Innovation Drives Growth and Success
Panelists dished on everything AI, TikTok, Clinique's groundbreaking formulas, and what ingredients are *actually* benefiting the skin.
-
Bella Hadid Wears a Piece of Cannes History—Just Not in Cannes
She can take her vintage trove wherever she wants.
-
What to Know About 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' Star Demi Engemann, From Her Family to Her Feuds
The #MomTok influencer is at the center of a lot of season 2's drama.
-
The 100 Best Movies of All Time: The Ultimate Must-Watch Films
We consider these essential viewing.
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s \201cAlmost Paradise."
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
-
The 50 Best Movie Musicals of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
-
'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know
Netflix owes us answers after that ending.
-
The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide
Features The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recast—again.
-
Who Is Hasnat Khan, Princess Diana’s Boyfriend on Season 5 of ‘The Crown’?
Features Di’s friends have said she referred to the doctor as \201cthe love of her life.\201d