Arooj Aftab at Roundhouse

Arooj Aftab touched down in London on Thursday for the Pitchfork Music Festival, marking the final date of her UK outing before she heads off back to the States, and the singer undoubtedly went out in style. Following the release of her latest album, which clarifies the essentiality and obscurity of nighttime endeavours in perfect balance, an immaculately curated evening of ethereal alternative artists felt an especially apt way to bring this tour leg to a close.

Immediately establishing a cool, self-assured presence, Aftab guaranteed the audience an experience that spanned the senses, extending far beyond her syrupy voice and masterful band to become almost tangible in how the crowd began to move as one. Swathed in dusky blue light, the dark atmosphere that underpins her most recent work was emphatically replicated as artist and audience shared in the intimacy and wonder of note-perfect vocals, backed by intricate, flawless instrumentals.

The band moved through a setlist in parts seductive, elsewhere sad and at times both, with an enrapturing rendition of melancholic track Whiskey that encapsulated the two moods. This all took place in contrast to the warmth and charisma of Aftab between songs, making for a duality that was hard to reconcile but impossible to forget. Rarely does a singer engage with the audience on such a sincere level – offering to buy all 2000 attendees a whiskey shot each and seemingly making good on her promise – amidst a sublime melange of alternative, folk and jazz that exceeded categorisation and simply made for a divine listening experience.

Mid-set, Aftab joined the crowd in their awestruck state as she was joined by friend and fellow innovator Laura Mvula for a bewitching rendition of Last Night. The fusion of powerful yet airy sounds meant the pair were perfect complements, creating a moment that was so special and unique to the London show. The stirring ambience was only heightened further as the singer closed out the main set with Bolo Na, a song she rightly describes as more relevant than ever, as the people of modern society navigate a world that does not always reciprocate their love.

Ending the night was crowd favourite and rousing Grammy-winner Mohabbat, rounding off a setlist as pristine as the entire bill of artists chosen for the festival. Selecting a medley of new and old that drew everyone in and kept them fixated, Arooj Aftab staged a trailblazing, transcendental masterclass in live performance.

Tallulah Allen
Photos: Ambra Vernuccio

For further information and future events visit Arooj Aftab’s website here.

Watch the video for the single Whiskey here: