Five reasons to see Monáe

1 DIRTY COMPUTER

Her first album since 2013’s Electric Lady, Dirty Computer has put Monáe back at the forefront of the modern R&B scene. It’s full of funky pop jams like the very Princelike Make Me Feel. Another track, PYNK, features former Vancouverite Grimes; the two first collaborated on the latter’s 2015 album Art Angels.

2 SCIENCE FICTION

The Kansas City-born-andraised singer/songwriter is a big sci-fan. She incorporates futuristic, sometimes borrowed, visuals, concepts and even identities into her lyrics, videos and stage show. Expect more than a traditional concert when she plays the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on the second stop of her upcoming 27-city tour.

3 “GRAND SPECTACLE”

On her 2013 tour for Electric Lady she won raves for her high-energy, big-idea live show that was called a “grand spectacle” by at least one reviewer.

4 MOONLIGHTING

Between albums, Monáe embarked on an acting career, and racked up credits in two of the most acclaimed films of the last few years — Hidden Figures and Moonlight. Both received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture.

5 ST. BEAUTY

The Atlanta pop duo, which released its debut EP earlier this year, opens the show. Pitchfork.com called the lead single Not Discuss It a “poignant and slightly hedonistic song about stormy relationship quarrels.”