Islington Assembly Hall, LondonThe twentysomething singer-songwriter brings classic Motown rhythms with a touch of hip-hop to a resounding set of anti-anxiety anthemsJoy Crookes is only 26, but the south Londoner’s music already feels omnipresent. One song in particular, at least: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now seems to be absolutely everywhere. I hear it in cafes and bars, trendy boutiques and grimy off-licences and, when I forget to turn it off, the autoplay function on my streaming app of choice. The song only came out in 2021, as a single from Crookes’s acclaimed debut album, Skin, and even if it doesn’t yet feel canonical, it has at least thoroughly saturated certain pockets of the city.Which makes it all the more remarkable that, when Crookes plays it at Islington Assembly Hall this evening – an “intimate”, or intimate for her, show at only 890 people – one of the Brits Week for War Child charity shows, it doesn’t even garner the biggest singalong of the evening. That honour might go ...
Joy Crookes, a 26-year-old London soul artist, delivered an intimate and electrifying performance at Islington Assembly Hall as part of the Brits Week for War Child charity event. Known for blending classic Motown rhythms with elements of hip-hop, synth-pop, and dub, Crookes’s music addresses themes of anxiety, beauty ideals, toxic relationships, and social issues like gentrification and mental health. Her performance showcased both unreleased tracks and hits from her debut album, *Skin*, with standout moments including the empowering "Trouble" and the poignant piano ballad "Forever," dedicated to children affected by conflict. Despite some missteps, Crookes’s commanding voice and heartfelt delivery left a lasting impression, highlighting her growing influence in the soul and R&B scenes.
