“Last year, when I supported a band [Whitney], there were about 10 people here”, declared Julia Jacklin at her sold out show in Nottingham, followed by a pause, “It’s so great to see you all! Currently on tour promoting last years excellent Don’t Let the Kids Win, Jacklin (accompanied by a well-tuned backing band) charmed the 100 plus crowd at the Bodega last Friday night (24th February), and by the end of her hour long set had put to bed memories of her past performance at the venue.
The night began with a quiet and restrained set by Nottinghamshire based Keto. Ostensibly a solo project run by Leah Sinead, Keto played a well received half hour support slot, despite Leah declaring that she was ‘exhausted’ following an 8 hour journey the previous day. One to watch in the future, especially with the recent release of ‘Superstar’, which deserves further recognition.
It would be a stretch to say that Jacklin emerged to rapturous applause-this wasnt the type of crowd-but there was definitely a lot of good will in the air and as soon as the first notes of ‘Hay Plain’ were strummed, a reverential hush took over, and continued this way throughout the gig. Opting to play the majority of Don;t Let…, Jacklin did treat the crowd to two new songs, both untitled, one which continues the same laid back theme as ‘Pool Party’, and one which saw the band ‘rock out’, which provided an interesting progression of sound.
Jacklin is currently most well known for the aforementioned ‘Pool Party’, and it was no surprise that this track received the loudest cheer of the night. However, this wasn’t to be the best track. Delivering a one song encore, Jacklin played a spell-binding cover version of ‘Someday’ by The Strokes, which even had some audience members in tears! As Jacklin exited the stage to a wave of appreciation by the crowd, it will probably be the last time she plays this type of venue for a long time. Big things await (not least what should be a successful summer of festivals) before Jacklin returns to bigger stages in the city.