Jake Bugg with support from Vistas and Louis Dunford
at O2 Guildhall in Southampton, UK
photos and words by Phoebe Reeks

For the first time in four years, Jake Bugg returned to Southampton to perform at the O2 Guildhall on the penultimate date of his spring UK tour.

London-based Louis Dunford kicked off the evening with his band and performed several original tracks which displayed some clever song writing, including ‘Bossman’ and ‘Boys Do Cry’ off most recent EP, Popham. Eager fans on the front row sang along to several songs, whilst others in the crowd listened intently.

Making a return to Southampton, Edinburgh-based Vistas played an energetic set which got the crowd dancing about. There were clearly a few fans of theirs in the crowd too, singing along to popular tracks, including ‘Tiger Blood’ and ‘Retrospect’. Both Louis Dunford and Vistas thanked the crowd for coming down early to catch their sets and shared their gratitude for being on tour alongside Jake Bugg.

As the lights dimmed and smoke filled the stage, ‘Be Someone’ started playing, the crowd cheered, and everyone started bopping and clapping along to the introductory music. Jake Bugg stormed the stage and wasted no time, opening with ‘Lost’ and ‘Kiss Like the Sun’ from his latest album release, Saturday Night, Sunday Morning, swiftly followed by an old favourite ‘Slumville Sunrise.’

In-between songs, the crowd were very hyped, chanting Bugg’s name over and over. Bugg expressed his pleasure to be back performing, and thanked fans for the support and singing along. Earlier singles including ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’ were clearly still favourites with the fans after all these years and got the crowd dancing and clapping along. Bugg mentioned the first album is turning 10 years old this year and thanked everyone for their continued support.

Bugg, alongside his three-piece band, played an extensive selection of songs spanning the last decade, barely stopping for a breather between tracks.

Bugg showcased his skills in having control over a crowd, from them dancing erratically to upbeat songs such as ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’, to listening intently to the more stripped back, heartfelt songs such as ‘Broken’. An array of electric, more upbeat songs was performed, which showed off his incredible guitar skills. Bugg also stuck to his roots throwing in several of his songs which have a country-folk feel, including ‘Hold Tight’ which he mentioned was his favourite from the latest album and was the penultimate song in the set.

Bugg made an honourable mention to everyone behind the scenes who made the tour happen, including his band and sound/lighting team and once again thanked the fans for coming, before picking up the pace again with ‘All I Need’ which closed the night.

JAKE BUGG: SOUTHAMPTON, UK - 04.04.22

LOUIS DUNFORD

VISTAS

JAKE BUGG