Jhené Aiko

Jhené Aiko

Feb 08

SWEET BIRD OF PARADISE

Where: O2 ABC
When: 7 February 2018
Support: IAMDDB; Avonlea

Before this gig I did not know very much about Jhené Aiko – I just listened to a couple of her songs, liked what I heard and bought a ticket. Checking up on her online I discovered that she comes from a musical family and had originally signed to record label when she was only 13, although she first made a mark for herself in 2012 with her Sail Out EP. And tonight she is in Glasgow, part of her short UK tour.

As we wait for her set to begin the stage is gradually filled with large pot plants which softens it and gives it a warm, welcoming aura – which neatly reflects JA herself. She is an uplifting presence on stage, talking easily to the crowd, smiling and commanding the stage with a cool aplomb. Her voice is a sweet soulful instrument and it is no surprise to learn that she has been dubbed the ‘hip hop Sade’. Her musical backing is sparse and a bit unusual – not so much the guy on keys/synths but how often does a hip hop artist appear on stage with a harpist?

The back of the stage is dominated by a screen which sometimes shows the video of the song JA is singing but mostly projects slightly psychedelic visuals, in keeping with her latest release, the epic concept album Trip. And not surprisingly the set is dominated by songs from that album. The songs are mostly gossamer psychedelically tinged R&B, sometimes euphoric, sometimes more spiritual or reflective but nearly all are winners. And all held together by her wonderful effortless vocals, that even makes the space she so easily conjures out of the rhythms sing.

I should also mention the two support acts. 18-year-old Avonlea won the crowd over with her good voice, presence and songs, surprising us with accompanying herself on one song with a bass ukulele. IAMDDB was almost her polar opposite, a prowling, foul-mouthed Mancunian dynamo whose urban songs were tough, full of female-empowering epithets – the crowd loved her.

The venue was about two-thirds full but the mostly female crowd had a great night and in JA saw a potential superstar of tomorrow. My punt on someone who I didn’t really know more than paid off.

 

Band page

Sample video