Jake Bugg review: Raw vocals and gritty melodies prove he's still a contender

Between albums and in need of a hit, Jake Bugg was one of the less buzzy artists lined up for War Child’s Brits Week series, which builds up to the awards ceremony on January 20.

Nevertheless, the stark, sometimes truculent tunes at this tiny venue suggested he’s still a contender.

There was also an inspired dual booking that combined the Nottingham songsmith with rising star Jade Bird as support. At 21, Bird’s developed a rich, rasping vocal and she attacked her acoustic guitar with such fervour that she snapped a string.

Just three years her senior, Bugg is already working on his fifth album. A teenage sensation on his debut, sales have since slipped but it didn’t deter him from airing the mellower moments from his previous record.

Inevitably, Bugg was at his best when fired up for early folk-rock material, which paired his raw voice with gritty melodies. He gently teased the charity show audience about how many old favourites to expect, though it turned out to a generous allocation.

Bugg raced through tough, acoustic tunes, including the incendiary Trouble Town, the ragged riffs of Slumville Sunrise and the shocking violence in the lyrics to Seen It All. But he was self-aware enough to admit that growing up on a Nottingham council estate wasn’t the worst outcome.

“I think it’s pretty bad but it doesn’t really compare to some of these lads and girls in war-torn countries,” he said.

Bugg lost his way on the less urgent material, though his promise of a “more upbeat” new album bodes well.

He wrapped it up with a double whammy of kitchen sink drama on Two Fingers and Lightning Bolt.

While other artists may be more fashionable, Bugg and Bird demonstrated the enduring appeal of a robust voice and six strings.