Tems performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2024. Onome Uyovbievbo/STAFF.

SAN FRANCISCO — Grammy-winning artist Tems performed to a sold-out house at the Warfield on Friday night. The Nigerian singer-songwriter, born Temilade Openiyi, is on her first headlining tour, in support of her June debut album, Born in the Wild.

The stunning vocalist’s unmistakable talent was on full display in front of multicultural audience. A band and two backup vocalists took the stage ahead of the artist against a backdrop of West African grasses. Tems entered to a roar of applause in a custom SRVC Studio jumpsuit dripping with a glittering beaded fringe that shimmered with every step. Her long brown curled tresses flowed behind her.

She kicked off with “Crazy Tings,” from 2022 EP Free Mind. She danced to the music, and her warm lower register voice took center stage. She moved right along to “Avoid Tings” and “Replay,” from the same record, before stepping back to revisit her first EP, 2020’s For Broken Ears, with “Damages.”

Tems’ band was tight, solidly in the pocket, and the supporting singers added just enough emphasis to aid the songs in mirroring studio quality. She confidently strutted the stage, interacting with attendees, dancing and gesturing with her hands to emphasize her lyrics, almost like an MC.

Tems performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2024.

“It’s my first time in San Francisco,” Tems said, and was then nearly drowned out by screams as she talked about her album.

She went on to perform the newer songs, starting with “Wickedest.” The uptempo song allowed Tems to move around the stage, stopping to sensually swivel her hips in a “slow wine” dance and drop it low as she went.

Next, Tems slowed it down with “Turn Me Up,” which featured a rap-like cadence to her delivery. “Burning” showcased her powerful singing voice.

After older song “Ice T,” she picked up the pace again with “Gangsta,” encouraging the audience to sing along as she playfully pointed the microphone to the front row during the chorus.

“Do I have any of my day ones in here? Do you know a song called Mr Rebel?” she asked. She went on to perform her first song, which she produced and released herself in 2018.

Returning to newer music with “Unfortunate” and her collaboration with Brent Faiyaz, “Forever,” her mezzo-soprano voice took on double duty, covering both hers and Faiyaz’s parts. She hopped off the stage and into the security pit in the front singing to fans for several minutes.

Lekan performs at the Warfield in San Francisco on Sept. 27, 2024.

When Tems returned, she led an emotional performance of “Higher,” with the audience singing along. She finished on a high note, with the uptempo “Love Me Jeje,” which merged into her collab with Wiz Kid and Justin Bieber, “Essence.”

Nigerian American artist Lekan opened the show. He had a comfortable and engaging stage presence coupled with a voice filled with warm vibrato. His 30-minute set included songs like “Brand New” and “So You Know.” He was accompanied by his guitarist, “E,” with whom he’s been making music since their teens.

Together, they did a great job working with well-produced tracks played off of a laptop. The Columbus, Ohio artist’s voice never faltered as he crooned and sang multi-octave vocal runs.

Follow Mel Bowman at Twitter.com/melmichel and Instagram.com/coco_michel_coco. Follow photographer Onome Uyovbievbo at Twitter.com/byonome and Instagram.com/by.onome.