The anticipation was palpable as the audience eagerly awaited the revelation that the title of Jorja Smith’s latest album, “Falling or Flying” (unveiled at the end of the previous month), seemed to promise. This anticipation reached its pinnacle within the sold-out walls of SWX on a Monday night, where the answer to the question was resounding—Jorja Smith wasn’t merely flying; she was commanding an R&B-powered rocket ship bound for the stars.
Emerging from the shroud of darkness into a cacophony of adoring screams, it became glaringly clear that the stage was graced by one of the UK’s most prominent artists. Jorja exhibited a profound mastery over the gathered masses right from the outset, effortlessly triggering massive reactions with the simplest gestures—a raised hand or a sidelong glance. The spectacle was nothing short of awe-inspiring, a testament to the notion that sometimes, simplicity holds unparalleled power in engaging a crowd.
A 17-song set unfolded, generously featuring a whopping 13 tracks from the latest album. The delivery was nothing short of flawless, a polished performance that would typically be associated with artists gracing the stages of Las Vegas residencies. Astonishingly, despite the album being released for less than two weeks, numerous tracks achieved the coveted status of being sung back to Jorja, an impeccable homage to the artist.
In a gesture of appreciation, the set catered to the fans who had fervently filled every conceivable space within the venue since its doors swung open—akin to a giant game of twister. The culmination was a crescendo of the multi-million streamed tracks “Little Things,” seamlessly blending into its “Gypsy Woman” remix, and “Be Honest.” This was coupled with nostalgic nods to Jorja’s early supporters through renditions of “Blue Light” and “On My Mind.” The performance stood as a testament, showcasing an elite-level performer hoisting the flag of British R&B to global heights.
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
