Accompanied by members of the Free Nationals, the Oxnard, California star distilled a wealth of soulful funk and smooth melodies at the cozy Soho venue.
This powerful performance from Anderson .Paak was certainly worth its exclusiveness. It was an unforgettable night at Ronnie Scott’s, a hallmark of London’s jazz legacy that has welcomed legendary artists like Nina Simone and Miles Davis. The rawness of the show had a soulful finesse fit for a Grammy stage, although there was a slight delay in start time due to the long line forming outside as dusk settled over Soho. The venue was already alive with energy from the tables near the stage to the bar at the back, just before Anderson .Paak's special single-night performance was set to commence.
Emerging from behind the bar's side curtain was the renowned trumpeter Maurice Brown from the Free Nationals, making a graceful entrance onto the stage that soon hushed the audience, who appreciated his jazzy flourishes on his beloved brass instrument. Few artists can electrify a dark, plush venue from the very first note. Approaching the drum set with his trademark laid-back yet playful demeanor, Paak kicked off the show with 'Suede', making his presence felt in the back rows with a loud declaration of “Yes Lawd!”. He shared a moving story that he continued to weave throughout the evening. The crowd was captivated from the outset, transported into an experience reminiscent of a larger Alexandra Palace concert but scaled down to deliver jazz, funk, RnB, and soul to an intimate gathering of 220 attendees.
Anderson .Paak’s musical range is boundless; he is also DJ Pee Wee, one half of Silk Sonic, and part of NxWorries alongside producer Knxwledge. A true master of collaboration, he took time to introduce each member of the band and the backing duo, RnB group GAWD (Ana & Alayna). The energy surged from zero to a hundred as the room matched Paak’s dynamic stage presence. His smile and youthful energy filled the space, lending a vibrant spirit to his raspy vocals. Behind dark glasses, Anderson .Paak exuded excitement from an earlier performance, displaying no shortage of vigor as he played the drums; transitioning into ‘The Season/Carry Me’, he crafted a playful rendition of the track while recalling the story behind his first pair of Jordans.
The walls of Ronnie Scott’s reverberated with cheers and applause for the performers on stage. Paak effortlessly maintained his rhythm while rapping in sync with his percussion, encouraging every listener to participate; the ‘Come Down’ segment brought an intense bassline that became a standout moment of the night. The ensemble created a soundscape that transported the audience back to 1960s Cincinnati, fusing grassroots club sounds, improvised keys, and harmonies that felt distinctly different from recorded versions of Paak’s songs. Classics resonated with renewed freshness as the crowd swayed and clapped to Anderson .Paak’s cues.
Anderson .Paak’s vibrant energy and electrifying presence set him apart from his peers. He encouraged guests to rise from their seats and groove to a blend of hip-hop, jazz, funk, and soul over one and a half hours, culminating in crowd favorites ‘Jet Black’ and ‘I Can’t Keep Losing You’. Even after a decade of navigating various musical identities, there was a sacred quality in witnessing what felt like a homecoming performance in this esteemed jazz venue—a moment he described as a “dream come true”.
Surrounded by his “before the money” on-stage family, the Free Nationals, this performance paid homage to a classic style of entertainment that shared soul and rhythm with everyone in attendance.
—
Words: Leah Fan
—
Join us on WeAre8 as we explore global cultural events. Follow Clash Magazine HERE as we joyously navigate between clubs, concerts, interviews, and photo shoots. Get backstage glimpses and insights into our world as the fun unfolds.
Subscribe to the Clash mailing list for the latest updates on music, fashion, and film news.
With a scrutinizing stare and raised eyebrow, 'Big city life' charts the patterns and traditions of the urban woman. It presents a lively postmodern fairytale.
Human versus Machine. What used to appear as a concept from science fiction has now turned into our reality. This is evident in the growing presence of AI in every facet.
Barney Keen could easily be the favorite musician of your favorite musician. He has been involved with some of the best studios in London and has been referenced by an
The esteemed awards celebrate songwriting and screen composition.
Chinese pop visionary Lexie Liu is back with her latest single 'FFFFF'. The self-taught artist is claiming 2025 as her year, releasing a series of must-have singles.
The flow of time has always been a key theme throughout Sunflower Bean’s music. From depicting the poignant nuances of youth, the
This intense performance by Anderson .Paak was completely deserving of its exclusivity. It was an unforgettable evening at Ronnie Scott's, the heart of London’s nightlife.