Bugg competent for sellout Brixton crowd

Jake Bugg - Shangri La

Venue: O2 Academy Brixton, London
Date: October 23, 2013

Jake Bugg often captivated the Brixton crowd on the first of three sold-out nights with a fairly impressive career highlight of a remarkable two years. Although uninspiring at times with his new heavier material struggling to make much of an impact, the screaming young females were in awe of the 19-year-old and he did well to impress on such a prestigious and daunting stage.

Bugg was not one for words with little crowd interaction other than a mumbled 'thank you' here and there. He stuck to focusing on the music and showed a lack of charisma which may well develop over the coming years.

'I've Seen It All' and 'Two Fingers' were brilliant highlights at the beginning of a set which incorporated many unheard, upbeat tracks from upcoming album Shangri-La. Recent single 'What Doesn't Kill You' was pleasant without ever hitting the heights of his debut album's singles. Bugg remained solo on stage for some repetitive acoustic tracks with the comforting 'Broken' as the notable crowd-pleaser.

As expected, most successful chart track 'Lightning Bolt' did excellently in raising thousands to their feet for a celebratory closer. Fans were left whistling the well-structured tune long after leaving the academy's toilets. However, it felt that following the first hour you were left longing for Bugg's trademark song to arrive to end proceedings.

Main support honeyhoney did little to excite a crowd who reacted considerably more positively to the 'Champagne Supernova' sing-a-long shortly before Bugg's appearance. The country rock duo from Nashville were delighted to be making an appearance and certainly attracted interest from some audience members. The overpowering (too loud) vocals from Suzanne Santo were a little much for the acoustic act at times, and, although they showed a knack for a catchy riff or two, Brixton were there to see just one man.

With much expectation for a matching number one follow-up, Shangri La's release next month will have tough competition against Robbie Williams' Swings Both Ways. Following Bugg's success signing to Mercury Records after his BBC Introducing performance at Glastonbury in 2011, he became the first act to transfer from the breakthrough stage to the Pyramid Stage in successive festival years in June. A surprise appearance at the festival's world-famous surreal chill out area seems only inevitable.

The happiest teenager in Brixton would rightfully have been pleased with an overwhelming response from a crowd who knew nothing of the man from Nottingham just two years ago.