Jorja Smith Stuns Onstage

In two short years, without even having released a debut studio album (her first studio album, “Lost & Found,” is set to be released on June 8), 20-year-old British R&B artist Jorja Smith has launched a single-based career, collaborating with artists such as Drake, Stormzy, Khalid, Maverick Sabre, and Kali Uchis while being featured on the Black Panther soundtrack. In 2018, Smith received the Brit Critics’ Choice Award, and her rapidly developing career shows no signs of stagnation any time soon. Smith has quickly amassed a devoted fan base, and her current tour sells out venues frequently, like her Brighton Music Hall performance on May 9. Throughout the night, Smith performed with a sleek ease as she skillfully sang pieces from her challenging repertoire.

Smith’s performance at Brighton Music Hall included songs ranging from her earlier projects to her upcoming debut album. Upon entry, Smith ascended the stage calmly and regally, and these attitudes were evident throughout her performance. Though many artists in this day and age take to the stage aiming to create a grand spectacle featuring elaborate costumes and choreography, Smith’s focus was wholly on her music as she gently swayed to the beat and danced subtly as she sang. Her interactions with her audience were also fairly minimal—after gracing the stage, Smith made a few comments to the crowd here and there, but it was evident that her main priority was her music, as Smith often appeared to be looking above or through the crowd as she focused on her singing. Unfortunately, due to the venue’s poor sound mixing, Smith’s voice was often overshadowed by the volume of her band.

At times, the unbalanced sound truly detracted from the show and made Smith quite difficult, if not impossible, to hear. However, there were moments in which Smith’s gentle crooning penetrated the air perfectly and enveloped the room with her sound. Smith, well-known for her head voice range, deftly tackled multiple octaves. Some artists struggle with translating their talent to their performances, but Smith is not one of them, as she had no discernible trouble rapidly moving up and down the scales in a live, unfiltered setting. This was shown most markedly in one of Smith’s more famous singles entitled “Let Me Down,” in which Smith showed incredible voice and breath control as she expertly performed the tricky melody over an uncomplicated piano arrangement in the background.

Smith’s front lighting cast her in an ethereal glow, which, when contrasted with a soft dark blue backlight, was spellbinding, but often clashed fiercely with jarring overhead lighting that was far too bright. On the stage with Smith were a few band members who she introduced and praised one by one to her audience. In Smith’s “Lifeboats (Freestyle),” the drummer had a fierce solo, with which Smith was able to smoothly flow. The crowd favorite was by far Smith’s most popular song, “On My Mind.” A smile stretched across Smith’s face as she slowly danced across the stage, casually belting the chorus as the audience shouted her name and occasionally waving at her friends scattered throughout the zealous crowd.

Jorja Smith’s concert at the Brighton Music House was an electrifying performance in which Smith proved that her musical prowess is not confined to her digital tracks, but rather, that she has the skill to maintain the same level of mastery in a live setting. As Smith rises steadily to prominence with the imminent release of her debut album, her May 9 performance will not be easy to forget.

—Staff writer Ajibabi O. Oloko can be reached at ajibabi_oloko@thecrimson.com