Review: Destin Conrad shines in star-making set at Lollapalooza

When discussing his Grammy-nominated debut album, “Love on Digital,” with Billboard, Destin Conrad called the sound “loud” and “queer.” Those are also fitting descriptors for his set on the Allianz stage at Lollapalooza on Sunday. But you could also add “unapologetically Black.”

The 26-year-old Florida native demonstrated his deep understanding of multiple Black art forms, performing R&B tracks from the aforementioned “Love on Digital,” and jazz tunes from his new album, “wHIMSY,” Oh, and he showed that he can also make irresistible island music; he played a song from his forthcoming reggae album, which he casually announced that he is dropping this month.

That versatility, along with his humor and natural performance ability onstage, is why he’s such an exciting new talent — co-signed by everyone from Kehlani to Meshell Ndegeocello. (He is a guest on the latter singer’s upcoming duets album, “Synonym.”) And he drew one of Lollapalooza’s most diverse crowds of the weekend.

The singer wore a red, haphazardly buttoned shirt, matching plaid shorts and slides — the kind of outfit that is intended to appear thrown together but clearly demonstrates his eye for fashion. His rich, smoky vocals were supported by a competent band, including a standout bass player and keyboardist who also performed a killer sax solo. The audience enthusiastically sang along to every song, especially the crowd-pleasing “Bad B—— and “Kissing in Public.”

At the end of the set, the sun emerged from the clouds, as if to herald the rising of a new star. And by the lyrics of his song, “So Nice,” Conrad knows it, too. “It’s OK, it’s all right/My life is so nice.”