Julia Jacklin
27th May 2017
The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand.
Review by Lauren Sanderson. Photography by Connor Crawford.
Aussie singer Julia Jacklin burst onto the New Zealand music scene last year with her indie/folk album Don’t Let the Kids Win. After playing a gig at Laneway Festival in January, Jacklin returned to celebrate her acclaimed debut album at the Tuning Fork. The intimate performance was somewhat emotional for the Blue Mountains singer- songwriter as it was her last New Zealand stint for her stunning album, which was created in New Zealand’s very own Sitting Room studios.
The crowd waited in anticipation til’ finally the sweet harmonic symphonies of ‘Pool Party’ drifted in. Jacklin’s soft country harmonies, which have become part of her trademark echoes around the Tuning Fork and left everybody in awe of what was to come.
Jacklin shares a detailed account of her partner’s drug use in her single ‘Pool Party’ and you can almost feel the pain in her voice. Its walking bass-line and her dream like vocals makes for an enticing start to the evening.
While the raucous ‘Coming of Age’ proves that her tender voice can work well with the rock genre. The mesmerising lyrics “Didn’t see it coming, my coming of age” rung true for most of the crowd as the 25-year old reveals the fears of every young adult- the passing of time and the consequences of growing older.
‘Motherland’ hypnotises the audience, with everybody swaying simultaneously to the soft quivers of Jacklin’s sweet tone, melodic acoustic guitar and captivating lyrics, “These new lines on my face spell out girl pick up your pace, If you want to stay true to what your younger self would do”
‘Don’t let the Kids Win’ was most definitely a crowd favourite, an intimate examination of life still being lived. The crowd united to Jacklin’s message of ‘live now and just be old when you’re old’. Followed by her unique cover of The Strokes ‘Someday’, which was the perfect number to end on.
While Jacklin takes influence from American singer Angel Olsen, she also has similarities to British folk-pop artist Lucy Rose and at times the raspiness in her voice can be compared to pop icon Ellie Goulding.
I couldn’t help but notice an absence of banter from Jacklin and her band. Over the period of 60 minutes they spoke very rarely- but then again do you need much more? It was actually quite refreshing to not have to listen to the history behind each song and how much she loves Auckland, instead she seemed to be lost in the music as much as the crowd was.
Were you there at The Tuning Fork for this sublime night of musical brilliance? Or have you seen Julia Jacklin live somewhere else? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Setlist:
- Hay Plain
- Leadlight
- Motherland
- Cold Caller
- LA Dream
- Elizabeth
- Small Talk
- East Wick
- Coming Of Age
- Pool Party
- Don’t Let The Kids Win
- Someday
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