Jake Bugg with support from G!rlband and Galaxy Thief
at The Lighthouse in Poole, UK
words and photos by Phoebe Reeks

Songwriter/guitarist Jake Bugg visited a few smaller venues on a UK tour this December, including a night at The Lighthouse in Poole, Dorset. This event also marked a milestone for the local venue, with it being the first standing gig for five years. Fans arrived and filled out the venue early to catch the support acts too.

Locals Galaxy Thief opened the night of live music - with their energetic indie-rock, they warmed up the crowd with plenty of positive response, performing an array of original songs including ‘Years’, ‘Last Chance’ and ‘Rain’. The four-piece gave the audience a lively set, bouncing energy off one-another and encouraging crowd participation and clearly enjoyed the thrill of performing.

G!rlband were up next - the Nottingham-based trio brought their alternative-rock to the venue, performing another energy-filled set consisting of original music, including ‘Talk Me Down’, ‘21st Century Suffragette’ and ‘Not Like The Rest’. Their catchy choruses, guitar riffs and energy on stage together successfully warmed up the crowd for the headliner to follow.

After some audience anticipation, Jake Bugg arrived on stage, opening with the acoustic and heartfelt ‘Me and You’ which had fans singing along on the front row instantly. Alongside his band, he went on to play an extensive 90 minutes of songs from his various studio albums as well as throwing in a couple of new songs too.

Tracks performed included fan favourites ‘Taste It’, ‘Two Fingers’ and the breakthrough single ‘Lightning Bolt’. His ability to captivate a crowd, particularly during quieter songs such as ‘Broken’ or ‘Hold Tight’ just shows off his talent. Jake Bugg is clearly happiest when playing his music and he expressed his appreciation of fans for attending, listening, and singing along throughout the night and said ‘’you’ve been a lovely crowd, I have to say, it’s a pleasure’’.

It’s now been over a decade since Jake Bugg’s self-titled debut album and his fifth and latest album Saturday Night, Sunday Morning along with the insight into new songs show there will be no slowing down any time soon. Jake Bugg concluded the set with ‘All I Need’ from the latest album, rounding off the evening of enthusiastic dancing and sing-alongs.

JAKE BUGG: POOLE, UK

Galaxy Thief

G!RLBAND

Jake BUGG