Jalen Ngonda

On 28 October 2026, Jalen Ngonda brings his soul craft to O2 Academy Brixton in London. Raised between Silver Spring, Maryland and the UK, he built his live chops in Liverpool before studying at LIPA and linking up with New York label Daptone Records. His writing draws on the grammar of 60s soul—steady grooves, defined basslines, vocal lines upfront—while keeping a concise, contemporary song format. On stage, that blend comes through in slow-burn ballads and mid-tempo dancers, the rhythm section tight, with brass or strings used sparingly to color the arrangements.

The set leans on his 2023 album Come Around and Love Me alongside recent singles, moving from intimate torch songs to R&B grooves without leaning on pastiche. It’s a show centered on musicianship and feel: compact structures, clear hooks, space for dynamics, and attention to tone. Active between London, Liverpool and European tours, Ngonda has honed a live setup that serves the songs first, where the voice leads and the band keeps the pulse warm and unhurried—an approach that fits a room like Brixton.