The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Fund us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Cannes
      • Sundance London
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • Tumblr

  • RSS


CultureMusicLive music

Jakil at Sebright Arms

Jakil at Sebright Arms | Live review
30 September 2014
Keir Smith
Keir Smith
Avatar
Keir Smith
30 September 2014

Music review

Highlights

Look Like Gold, Istanbul

Links

Twitter Facebook Website

East London seems to be a breeding ground for up-and-coming, slightly alternative/hipster acts in recent times; some real gems can be discovered nestled among a sea of seemingly dreary scenery. Tonight we headed down to a proper east end boozer in Bethnal Green to put the latest indie act Jakil under the microscope and see if they have enough talent and personality to propel them above the rest of the underground bands.

Rory Butler has the task of supporting the Scottish boys tonight and he does an impressive job with his melancholic acoustic set, however there is little need for a warmed-up crowd as the packed-out underground room is stuffier than a Christmas jumper from your nan. As the boys finally step out onstage the most instantly ear-catching feature is frontman Kieran O’Brien’s wonderfully harmonic vocal range: it has consistency that almost makes it seem auto-tuned and is in the same bracket as singers like Sam Smith. The supporting four-piece band combines seamlessly with the vocal performance to create a smooth summery jingle that is just as good live as it is on record.

The payoff moment of the Jakil live experience mainly revolves around the more intense choruses of songs like Look Like Gold and Istanbul as O’Brien can belt out his beautifully soulful vocals while bouncing off the steady tempo of the groovier than Austin Powers guitar parts. A mini brass section is even rolled out mid-set to accompany the already stellar live sound and give it an even richer and more grandiose feel. The oxygen may have been completely sucked out of the ferociously hot room but this didn’t stop the crowd bopping and dancing to every tune, under a trance of indie dance.

If exciting future British talent is looking for a nurturing home to spread its wings then East London can definitely stake its claim. Jakil showed that they have more than enough talent to attack and conquer larger venues in their quest to earn an indie crown, with their vibrant soulful live show. London take note.

★★★★★

Keir Smith
Photo: RobertGershinson2014

For further information about Jakil and future events visit here.

Watch the video for Look Like Gold here:

Related Items

More in Live music

Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall

★★★★★
Ed Edwards
Read More

Bastille at the Royal Albert Hall

★★★★★
Selina Begum
Read More

The Vaccines and Whenyoung at Alexandra Palace

★★★★★
Musanna Ahmed
Read More

John Barrowman and Seth Rudetsky at Leicester Square Theatre

★★★★★
Bev Lung
Read More

Alela Diane at Union Chapel

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats at Shepherd’s Bush Empire

★★★★★
Jake Cudsi
Read More

Arcade Fire at Wembley Arena

★★★★★
Filippo L'Astorina, the Editor
Read More

Walk the Moon at the Forum

★★★★★
Musanna Ahmed
Read More

Steve Reich’s Different Trains at the Queen Elizabeth Hall

★★★★★
Juliet Evans
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Music review

Highlights

Look Like Gold, Istanbul

Links

Twitter Facebook Website

Tickets

Theatre tickets

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Hide in Mayfair: Dabbous raises the bar of informal fine dining with his new restaurant
    ★★★★★
    Food & Drinks
  • The Vaccines and Whenyoung at Alexandra Palace
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Instructions for Correct Assembly at Royal Court Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Chicago at Phoenix Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Tina: The Musical at Aldwych Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Encounter at the Barbican
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • London’s coffee revolution: How the scene has changed in the last ten years
    Food & Drinks
  • Gregory Porter at the Royal Albert Hall
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • Chicago at Phoenix Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Encounter at the Barbican
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Rationalism on Set at Estorick Collection
    ★★★★★
    Art
  • Iliza Shlesinger Live at Queen Elizabeth Hall
    ★★★★★
    Theatre

Instagram

Something is wrong. Response takes too long or there is JS error. Press Ctrl+Shift+J or Cmd+Shift+J on a Mac.
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Fund us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • New London restaurant openings and pop-ups
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Subscribe
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2018 FL Media Ltd

The Vertical Hour at the Park | Theatre review
Rachael Dadd at St Pancras Old Church | Live review