JOY CROOKES - PERFORMING AT BRITS WEEK FOR WARCHILD // ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL, LONDON
Soulful vocals enthral all
★★★★☆ (4/5)
JOY CROOKES PERFORMING AT LONDON’S ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
AS PART OF BRITS WEEK FOR WAR CHILD
PHOTOCREDIT: BETHAN MCCONNELL
Performing to hundreds in a packed Islington Assembly Hall, Brit Nominee, Joy Crookes took to the stage for the first time in 2025 for the Brits showcase in collaboration with War Child. The evening’s venue has played host to musicians from all walks of life from classical to punk, across generations of talents and Crookes fits right alongside the best of them.
The night started strong, with support from singer/songwriter Amie Blu captivating those in early attendance. Blu’s forlorn vocals weaved through a heart-wrenching set, delivering a range that spanned a throaty rasp and airy highs.
Prior to the main event, a brief introduction given by War Child reiterated the essential work delivered by the charity and the success they have had in raising over £7,000,000 since they started these Brits Week performances in 2009. With a final amping up of the crowd, Crookes took to the stage alongside hearty cheers from the audience.
Immediately, Crookes made clear why she is an undeniable presence in the British music scene. With pitch-perfect vocals painting vivid pictures across a stellar set. Channelling the neo-soul sensibility of Amy Winehouse, Crookes effortlessly weaves soul and R&B into punchy pop packages.
It has been four years since Crookes delivered her top-five debut album, “Skin,” and these tracks were featured heavily across the night. However, with such a long wait, fans are understandably ravenous for new material. Thankfully, the evening provided a buffet of both longstanding classics and a selection of new tracks. A shower of new songs from Crookes’s next album were played for the first time.
Alongside the new tracks, Crookes teased that her hotly anticipated next album should arrive later this year. To drive fans into an even deeper frenzy, she let slip that the track “I Know You’d Kill” will arrive as her next single.
The unreleased “Perfect Crime” was also performed, a longstanding track written years ago which has not yet made it onto a Crookes record. A thick bass line drives the sign forward, while a delightful melody ties together the chorus into an inescapable earworm. Hopefully, it will make its way onto the next album.
While the new song “Carmen” delivered an ode to unobtainable beauty standards. Presenting a fictional character “Carmen” who represents the perfect person from which insecurity can grow.
Further delving into topics on mental health, “First Last Dance” is written as a breakup song with mental health issues. Contrasting the heavy subject matter with an amiable glittery sound.
Crookes and her band brought a soulful element to the night. This free-flowing nature helped to add a dynamism to the evening which had the audience enthralled and dancing throughout.
As the audience emerged into the chilly February night all were in agreement that they had witnessed a vocal masterclass. No doubt her imminent album will deliver even more of the soul-tinged hits that her fans crave.
These intimate performances have been part of the War Child 2025 Brits week in an effort to raise money to protect, educate, and stand up for the rights of children living through war.
You can donate at https://www.warchild.org.uk