Live Review

Jamie T, Brixton Academy, London

8th October 2016

“This is my favourite venue in the world”

“This is my favourite venue in the world”. Jamie T bounds onto Brixton Academy’s historic stage with a sense of purpose. The first of his three night residency, the Wimbledon boy turned indie hero looks a man at the peak of his powers.

In truth, a lot of the nuance of latest album ‘Trick’ is lost in a rowdy live gig like this, but heavier tracks like ‘Tescoland’, ‘Solomon Eagle’ and ‘Tinfoil Boy’ inspire a bullish reaction from the crowd.

‘Sheila’ sparks an inevitable mass sing-a-long, but more impressive is the roar that greets album tracks from years gone by. ‘Salvador’, ‘368’ and ‘The Man’s Machine’ are belted out like age-old classics – much was made of the success of Jamie T’s 2014 comeback, but it’s his first two records that resonate most here.

The arrival of ‘Sticks ‘n’ Stones’ prompts absolute chaos – mosh pits appear from every angle with crowdsurfers pulled over the barrier by security. Then comes an encore of ‘Back In The Game’ – a fan favourite from debut ‘Panic Prevention’ which serves as a reminder of just how far Jamie T has come as a musician and performer.

Proceedings come to a close with ‘Zombie’ – the single that launched his comeback so successfully two years ago. It marks the end of a set which finds the right balance between nostalgia and new sonic pastures – in 2016 Jamie T feels very much like an artist who hasn’t forgotten his past, but is still set to have an exciting future.

Jamie T, Brixton Academy, London Jamie T, Brixton Academy, London Jamie T, Brixton Academy, London

Photos: Betty May

Tags: Jamie T, Reviews, Live Reviews

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