We Got Work To Do: Mavis Staples sounds out freedom at the Michigan Theater +
Mei Semones’ homecoming back to Ann Arbor for the Sonic Lunch 2026 season finale
From the State to Fifth, Liberty street was vibrating. The crowd formed an undulating, impatient boa waiting to enter the Michigan Theater. Anticipation was fluttering from one person to the next as we chatted amongst ourselves. I shared words with Mary, who had moved here from New York City to attend school in the seventies, and had taken a day off from her gardening to see Mavis Staples. She wasn’t aware that there was another artist on the bill this morning: Mei Semones, the international jazz-pop sensation of the last year. Mary wasn’t alone in this, but that didn’t stop her and the rest of the audience from offering Mei an uproarious standing ovation after her set.
Mei opened the show, performing much of her set solo. Her signature wistful vocals set a firm foundation over which her dazzling guitar chords cascaded and danced. She worked her way through material old and new, joined once by a band mate on vocals and guitar for a duet. I was touched by the intimate performance and vulnerable songwriting, and I could understand why she had been welcomed to the stages of the great international jazz festivals of the past year. The crowd at the Michigan didn’t need to know that to be intrigued. As soon as the emcee told them that she had gone to Community High she was endeared to them. For me, I remember playing shows alongside her high school band Rosewood at the teen venue The B-Side, just a few blocks away from where we were that morning.
The excitement that the crowd had been storing up all morning gushed out as the Mavis Staples band took the stage. Mavis and her band brought blues, soul, and spirit enough to rouse many from their seats. The guitar had twang, the rhythm was tight, and Mavis was one hundred percent soul legend. They held back at first—then let it all out for the last few numbers. The most memorable moment was a direct call to the audience. The band grooving, the backup singers cooing, and Mavis looking each of us in the eye and singing “We got work to do!”. She made it clear that the work to be done was the work of undoing hate, tyranny, and derision. Mavis cried out to us, “We don’t need no ICE, we don’t need no King!”. She had the audience on a string, pulling people out of their seats and into the isles clapping and dancing. At the very climax of this call and response I noticed a man using his prosthetic leg to play air guitar along with the soloist on stage.
The jubilant cacophony of the crowd barely diminished as the band finished their final tag of “Love, love, love”. As we funneled out of the theater some were already sharing their reviews with friends. Within the excited chatter I overheard a few recounting their favorite past performances from Sonic Lunch and the A2SF, counting this morning’s show among their number. I definitely would too. Mei Semones and Mavis Staples brought about an energetic and satisfying end to this year’s season of Sonic Lunch. Doubtless I’m not the only one looking ahead to next season.
By Ben Schaaf