Grammy-winner Maxwell brings his love songs to the stage at the Art of Cool Festival

The Art of Cool Festival will open its fifth year Friday, bringing headliners Nas, Erykah Badu, Anthony Hamilton and Maxwell to Durham.

The festival will have a new look this year, including a new date and a change in ownership.

Previously the festival took place in the spring, but the fifth iteration has moved to the fall and will have performances at venues like the Durham Armory, Motorco Music Hall and The Pinhook.

The main stage will be at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, where Maxwell will headline Friday night’s shows along with Damien Escobar, and Anthony Hamilton. Other Friday performers include Meshell Ndegeocello, 95 Live with 9th Wonder and Spinderella and Sango.

On Saturday, headliners Royce Da 5’9”, Nas and Erykah Badu perform at Durham Bulls Athletic Park starting at 7:45 p.m. Other performers include Dwele, Iman Omari and Madison McFerrin.

Maxwell, who has 13 Grammy nominations and three wins, seems to be the exception to the rule in R&B music. He’s had a steady career of hits and has remained in the middle of musical landscape.

Here are some of the reasons why the artist is one of the coolest dudes in music.

1. There’s a mystique with Maxwell

The shy sex symbol eschews interviews. It’s a brilliant move during an era in which oversaturation is the norm. Fans don’t know everything about Maxwell. While the singer-songwriter emerged during the era of MTV’s “Cribs,” Maxwell refused that type of publicity.

2. Less is more

Maxwell has released just three albums since 2000. He’s a perfectionist. Each of those albums — 2001’s “Now,” 2009’s “BLACKsummers’night” and 2016’s “blackSUMMERS’night” — are strong, consistent projects.

Maxwell told Rolling Stone why he doesn’t make music as quickly as he could.

“People do too much,” Maxwell said in 2016. “Fame is a very precarious thing. I’m not a corporation where things get funnelled through me, and my name’s not so big that it’s gonna be a hit. I better really live something and write something (of note).”

Even though seven years passed between albums, “blackSUMMERS’night” rolls on in the same manner its predecessor ended. The connection is a big groove as Maxwell continues with the party that’s an amalgam of R&B, funk and soul.

3. There’s a message

Maxwell has a new single, “We Never Saw It Coming,” which was released in June in conjunction with a compelling short film called “The Glass House.” The movie focuses on a love story during apocalyptic times, and Maxwell’s lyrics reflect that: “We’ve never been so divided/Scattered and spread among/Like useless ashes.”

His albums are typically collections dreamy, romantic and cathartic songs. Maxwell belts out pure love songs with his trademark falsetto. The tunes are complicated and provocative but Maxwell stands out for continuing to make love songs, which still sell. Just ask Adele.

4. He looks back to move forward

Leon Ware, who co-wrote hits with Marvin Gaye during the mid-’70s, was tabbed to help craft songs with Maxwell when he was making his breakthrough release “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite” 20 years ago.

Maxwell has worked primarily with the same group of collaborators since he was an unknown. He continues to write with guitarist Hod David. They met a quarter of a century ago when Maxwell was a busboy and David a waiter in New York.

5. He has struggled

Maxwell grew up in a hardscrabble environment in New York, primarily without a father and stability. But he explained to Pitchfork in 2016 that it work in his favor.

“Dysfunction is amazing food for music and art,” he said then. “There are the lucky ones who don’t need it, but there’s nothing as pretty as the caged bird that sings, or the prince that’s banging his head against the cage that he’s in. That sound rings across the world. People stop and go, ‘That’s the most beautiful song ever.’ And it’s someone hurting! Go figure.”

6. Style counts

In an era when it’s difficult to discern between performers and those in the audience, Maxwell still rocks a suit. There’s little doubt that Maxwell is one of the most stylish and elegant performers on the circuit.

Headliner highlights

▪ Erykah Badu: Saturday night’s headliner is Erykah Badu, who has four Grammy wins to her credit. And if you haven’t seen her NPR Tiny Desk Concert from last month, check it out.

▪ Nas: Coming off the release of the Kanye West-produced “Nasir” — which Rolling Stone called “dull” — Nas comes to the stage at AOCFEST Saturday night right before Erykah Badu. The rapper was in the Triangle last year on tour with Ms. Lauryn Hill.

▪ Anthony Hamilton: Charlotte native Anthony Hamilton is back at the Art of Cool Festival after being one of the headliners in 2015. He’s known for his 2004 song “Comin’ from Where I’m From,” which was nominated for a Grammy Award.

Details

What: The Art of Cool Festival

When: Sept. 28-29, see full schedule for other set times

Where: Various venues in downtown Durham; main stage at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St.

Tickets: One-day general admission passes Friday and Saturday, $100; VIP one-day passes Friday and Saturday, $130; weekend pass, $206; VIP weekend pas, $282; premium weekend VIP pass (A Southern Thing), $321; premium weekend VIP pass (Brunch at Beyu Caffe), $321; Black Wall Street X AOCFEST joint ticket, $275

Info: aocfestival.com

This story was originally published September 26, 2018 at 1:23 PM.