REVIEW: Jorja Smith enchants packed Regency crowd

Jorja Smith

Photos: Joaquin Cabello

SAN FRANCISCO — English R&B singer-songwriter Jorja Smith lived up to her hype at a packed-to-the-gills show at the Regency Ballroom Tuesday.

Over 80 minutes, Smith tastefully mixed her previously released singles and songs from her upcoming album, Lost and Found. The artist walked onto the stage and kicked the show off with “Something in the Way,” off 2016 EP Project 11. As she performed her next song, “Where did I go?” her honeyed voice and breathy delivery complemented the simple pop-infused beat to create the intimacy of a small a club through the navy blue haze of the stage lights. The 20-year-old’s powerful voice encapsulated vulnerability and determination.

After a quiet “thank you” that could barely be heard in the upper level of the venue above the thunderous cheering, Jorja Smith launched into 2017 single “Teenage Fantasy.” Smith swayed from side to side along with the music.

Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith performs at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on April 24, 2018.

The next part of her set was a compilation of three new songs—“February 3rd,” “Lifeboats” and “Goodbyes”—that sandwiched two covers: TLC’s “No Scrubs” and Frank Ocean’s “Lost.” With poise and self-assured swagger, Smith effortlessly sang about fleeting life and loving herself before others.

Feeding off of the room’s energy, Smith also performed unreleased track ‘“Tomorrow,” noting that it was written during a confusing time in her life. The lyrics were decidedly more self-assured: “It will all make sense tomorrow,” she sang atop a simple piano arrangement.

Whether it was the light bulbs that flickered behind Smith or her stage presence, the room got brighter as the tempo sped up for “Tomorrow,” on which Smith sampled the Fugees’ iconic “Ready or Not,” with Smith singing Lauryn Hill’s parts, adding a bit of jazzy flair a la Amy Winehouse.  

Jorja Smith

Jorja Smith performs at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco on April 24, 2018.

The show wound down with the hauntingly emotive “Blue Lights,” a social commentary about the tumultuous relationship between law enforcement and people of color. The main set concluded with the sweet and raw “I Am,” a track from the soundtrack to Black Panther. An acoustic rendition of “Imperfect Circle” and the anticipated “On My Mind” rounded out the night. The soulful vocalist caught her breath before starting the song and fans sang along to the the opening verse and chorus.

Nineteen-year-old London crooner Ama Lou opened the show with an intense set. One song in, the oneiric-yet-upbeat “Not Always,” she paused to acknowledge the San Francisco show as her favorite of the tour to-date. Lou’s performance also featured “Tried Up” and “Wire,” off of her recently released EP, DDD.

Follow writer Eli Batrez at Twitter.com/@_elibelly6_Follow photographer Joaquin Cabello at Instagram.com/joaquinxcabello.

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