D’Angelo and The Vanguard
Michael Eugene Archer, aka D’Angelo, was the man to see at Roo this year. He donned his custom Minarik Diablo guitar during a twilight set, and from the moment he and the Vanguard broke into the first song, “Ain’t That Easy” (the opening track from 2014’s Black Messiah)—that was it. He proved it: He’s the man. Period. Plus, his band included Jesse Johnson of The Time on guitar and Pino Palladino on bass. What?!!