LIVE REVIEW: Obongjayar @ Jacaranda Baltic, Liverpool

Boasting 4.2 million Spotify listeners and collaborations with artists such as Little Simz and Fred Again, Obongjayar is not on his way to becoming a musical powerhouse, but surely already is one. While his music encompasses multiple genres such as Afro Beats, Electronic, Indie Rock and Soul, Obongjayar doesn’t allow himself to be put into a musical box but rather blends these genres and more to create an entirely individual sound. His new album ‘Paradise Now’, released less than a month ago, is a continuation of this brilliant and experimental artistry, and was debuted to us in an intimate yet electric performance at the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool. 

Obongjayar’s performance was nothing short of a phenomenon, bringing several audience members to tears from the sheer force of emotion that bled out of his every note, step and movement onstage. While humorous and down to earth when he first introduced himself, Obongjayar transformed before our eyes into a musical force of nature as soon as the first note was played. A comfortable performer doesn’t even begin to describe Obongjayar’s stage presence, as he became every song he played and felt it through his body.

Also displayed was his incredible vocal range, producing notes you could hardly believe were coming out of his mouth. Foregoing the stand entirely and draping the microphone across his body as he moved around the stage, it was impossible to take your eyes off Obongjayar, and his hold over the audience was almost magical. When he told the audience to scream ‘Give me more’, we screamed ‘Give me more’. When he told the audience to dance during ‘Jellyfish’, we danced with passionate abandon. When he asked the audience for quiet during ‘I wish it was me’, we held our breaths in rapture as he poured out his brotherly love.

Appreciative of his team and bandmates and dedicating time to sign records and chat to every audience member afterwards, Obongjayar is without a doubt an artist worth following, loving, and witnessing the magic in person.