The Roots Play Outdoor Show at Stage AE (Tues., 8/31/21)

The Roots are not just the house band for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” They are a pioneering hip-hop band, which melds socially conscious lyrics with live jazz and rock instrumentation. The band formed in Philadelphia in 1987. Landmark releases include 1995’s Do You Want More?!!!??!, 1999’s Things Fall Apart, 2006’s Game Theory, and 2011’s Undun. They’ve collaborated with artists such as John Legend, Betty Wright, and Elvis Costello. Roots drummer Questlove directed 2021’s Summer of Soul, a documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. It features performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, The Staple Singers, Sly and the Family Stone, and others. The Roots got the gig as the house band for Jimmy Fallon back when he began hosting “Late Night” in 2009. They will perform an outdoor concert at Stage AE. Special guest is KAMAUU. Doors open 6 p.m. 400 North Shore Dr., North Shore. (C.M.)

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