Julia Jacklin charms an adoring crowd at a sold-out Electric Brixton

Energised by the recent release of Crushing, a near-universally lauded sophomore record that dealt lucidly and viscerally with refinding a sense of self and physicality, Jacklin and a four-strong band open with slow burner “Body”, its drawn out but rewarding pace appropriately matching the records’ opener. The sound in the sweltering hall seems to warm up in tow with the song, feeling more vibrant in the midst of the slow crescendo of stand-alone single “Eastwick”.

Not one to be shy, Jacklin's stage chat is kept under wraps until a flawless rendition of “Motherland” from 2016 debut Don’t Let The Kids Win. In her charmingly self-deprecating and deadpan way she recalls the stress of her last proper headline performance in London at Shepherd’s Bush Empire (excluding an intimate show at Omeara), where, she states, the promoters had overestimated her fanbase, but were thankfully saved by the crowds who had come in their droves to see her support band who featured Stranger Things’ Charlie Heaton on drums. Her delivery is comical, but if there was any truth in it then her performance tonight confirms the irrelevance of any celebrity endorsement.

A special moment comes in the form of “When The Family Flies In”, Crushing’s heartbreaking piano-lead centrepiece, where Jacklin puts down her guitar and sings with Harry Fuller’s soft keys and harmonies from touring member and support act Georgia Mulligan. It’s one of several quiet and haunting moments throughout the set, but one that vignettes Jacklin’s characteristic vibrato brightly.

Setlist:

Body

Eastwick

Leadlight

Motherland

Don’t Know How To Keep Loving You

Turn Me Down

When The Family Flies In

Don’t Let The Kids Win

Good Guy

You Were Right

Pool Party

Head Alone

Pressure To Party

--- Encore ---

Comfort

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