Joy Crookes took to the stage for her exclusive Tate Modern Late to perform tracks from her brand new album Juniper.
The Tate Modern introduced the Tate Late back in 2016 providing an opportunity for people to connect with art and music within a new late evening atmosphere. Visitors are welcomed at the end of each month to events specially curated by big names such as artist Little Simz.
This time, the 26-year-old Irish-Bangledeshi artist Joy Crookes was next to bless the infamous South Tanks on 26 September.
Crookes released the highly anticipated album Juniper on 19 September after taking a lengthy break of four years from releasing music since her first studio album in 2021 Skin, which was nominated for a Mercury Prize.
The long awaited return of fresh music did not disappoint with the deep and personal tone of the record exploring identity, love, body image and anxiety.
The Tate Modern is a special place for Crookes as she revealed she would walk through the Tate for creative inspiration.
The South Tanks were transformed into an immersive world completely dedicated to Juniper. The borders of the room displayed stills from the process of the album and music videos, and iconic style moments communicating Crookes’ love for fashion.
Above the stage in the centre of the room were two VHS cells projecting the behind the scenes and process of the creating of the album. This detail entertained the audience members slowly filling up the space.
Crookes performed tracks from the new album fused with crowd pleasers such as ‘Feet Don’t Fail Me Now’ and ‘When You Were Mine’. The crowd reaction to these moments were energetic, as Crookes encouraged everyone to dance.
A sentimental gig with dedications before performing the deeply emotional track ‘Forever’, Crookes said: “I always dedicate this song to Palestine before I sing it.”
She also dedicated ‘I Know You’d Kill’ to her manager Charlie Owen.
The artist’s stage presence was top notch as Crookes worked the crowd before ‘Mathematics’ and playfully said: “Can you guess what song it is? No Asian stereotypes please!”
The playful persona of Crookes came across in an interview post performance as she shared her go to wake up song that gets her up and out of bed.
Crookes said: “It used to be a band called Hallelujah Chicken Run, which are a highlife 70s Zimbabwean band, and you’d wake up and do the Bondi dance.”
She then proceeded to show me the dance and shimmy her shoulders.
The process of the album is one she is proud of, and one she will be showing off with her upcoming tour running this Autumn.
Crookes said: “I would implore everyone to listen to ‘Paris’ because I think it’s one of the best songs I’ve ever done.”
And with that, her Tate Modern Late performance concluded and Crookes said: “On my death bed I’ll be thinking of this night.”
Featured Image Credit: Asha Rajoriya
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