LIVE: Jake Bugg – Electric Brixton 10.03.16

Take a right out of Brixton station and you’ll find yourself at live music favourite Brixton Academy. Turn left, however, and you’ll find Electric Brixton; a much lesser known spot, with a third of the capacity, but equally stunning inside – original details remain, highlighting its importance in London’s art and entertainment scene.

Jake Bugg could quite easily have sold out the former a few times over tonight, but as part of four dates that take in each point of London’s compass, fans are treated to a more intimate setting for first outings of tracks from his upcoming third album, On My One.

As expected, his chat is minimal, a smile non-existent (even when he declares “we’re gonna get this night started now” after an acoustic set), but as highlighted with opening number ‘On My One’, Bugg is as serious as Cash was towards the end. “I’m just a poor boy from Nottingham, I had my dreams but in this world they’re gone…”  his effortless croon delivers, questioning God, complaining about his success and telling tales of his life.

‘County Song’ and new track ‘Livin’ Up Country’ are equally obvious in their influences, but it’s not to say he doesn’t delve into other sounds too. Older numbers ‘I’ve Seen It All’ and ‘Kingpin’ give an idea of how Noel Gallagher might have sounded if he’d been a solo, Donavan-inspired singer/songwriter from day one, while recent single ‘Gimme The Love’ is all Madchester effects with a Britpop chorus. Also from On My One, ‘Never Wanna Dance’ heads back to America for something at the school prom, the strings and mirrorball melodies perfect for a retro soundtrack.

While the crowd don’t look any different to those at any NME starring act, forming circles on the floor for ‘Slumville Sunrise’, Jake Bugg is a classic country star in the making, with On My One destined to continue his subdued rise from Nottingham’s streets to an honorary place on Nashville’s Walk Of Fame.

Dan Bull
@danbull7609

Dan Bull

Dan Bull

Reviews Editor
London. Likes: Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, Prince Charles Cinema, Duran Duran Dislikes: Soreen, All-hits setlists, "I liked them before everyone else..."