On the last day of ACL Fest weekend one, Jhené Aiko proved an unassuming replacement for Lorde, who plays the second weekend only. The L.A. songstress put on a dreamy mid-afternoon performance that had young girls screaming loud and often up front. Comparisons to Sade are both off target and unnecessary, as the diminutive wonder delivered the goods her way.
Aiko’s rise to stardom comes as a collaborator – a voice on other people’s tracks. On her own, the 26-year-old singer is making her bones through songwriting. Not one to belt out her tunes, she relies on evoking detailed emotions – giving each a soothing, sobering effect.
Her comfort level onstage creates a sleepy feel, especially when combined with a warm afternoon, but don’t mistake that for lack of intensity. For Aiko, comfort arrives a major component of her live set, which found her walking the stage with incense in her hand. A United Nations of fans jumped and hollered to make sure her emotions didn’t arrive in vain.
During “The Worst,” the charismatic vocalist climbed down off the stage to get a closer look at the gals pushed up against the barrier. Her soulful words soothed them: “I don’t need you, but I want you.” She closed with a cover of Tupac’s “Keep Your Head Up,” making it an ode to the women she hopes to empower.
This article appears in October 3 • 2014.
