Whether it was the lingering heatwaves or the fact that everyone and their dog had just returned from Glastonbury Festival, last Tuesday’s Japanese Breakfast show was a surprisingly laid-back affair. Just a few days earlier, the band finally played their debut set at the iconic festival, following a last-minute cancellation in 2023.
After Glasto, JB managed to squeeze in shows in Manchester and Glasgow before doubling back to Bristol—a mere 27-mile hop, but that’s the chaos of touring for you. The last time they played the city, supporting 2021’s breakthrough album Jubilee, Michelle Zauner and co. had easily sold out the similarly sized Marble Factory. This time, the O2 Academy was about two-thirds full, with roughly 1,000 eager fans ready to hear tracks from their latest record, For Melancholy Brunettes (& Sad Women).
Although a lighter turnout may have been a headache for management, it created a more intimate show—something we feared Zauner’s rising fame might overshadow. The room was filled with die-hard fans, resulting in a quiet, respectful atmosphere. That’s a rare thing in the post-pandemic gig era.
Korean support act Minhwi Lee’s delicate songs demanded complete silence, and the crowd delivered. Lee sang softly in her native tongue over a swooning mellotron and gentle acoustic guitar. Her music carried a hypnotic, slow-building quality. After each song, applause would swell then fade, and the O2 would fall quiet once again. It was a calming support set, and one that fit J Brekkie’s recent introspective mood perfectly.
At 9 p.m., Zauner and her bandmates took the stage, carrying a red lantern in hand. After a brief hello, she lit the lantern with a dramatic flourish. And just like that, it was showtime. Over the next hour and twenty minutes, the band whizzed through 20 songs at a breakneck pace. Before one song even finished ringing out, a roadie was already passing Zauner a new guitar for the next number. Nine of For Melancholy Brunettes’ 10 tracks made the setlist, with the gorgeously romantic “Orlando in Love” landing particularly well. Zauner also treated superfans to “Boyish,” a deep cut from her earlier band Little Big League.
Lovers of JB’s earlier shoegaze-leaning material weren’t shortchanged. The band delivered three tracks from their sophomore album, Soft Sounds From Another Planet. Unsurprisingly, though, it was the songs from Jubilee that drew the biggest reactions. Woozier numbers like “Slide Tackle” and “Posing in Bondage” had lovers swaying, while an encore—featuring a gong-smashing “Paprika” and ever-infectious “Be Sweet”—got the whole room moving. But it was a ferocious rendition of “Diving Woman” that closed the night. Zauner proved that, despite her increasingly intricate songwriting, she’s still most at home kicking ass with a Jazzmaster in hand.
For a mid-week show, it was pretty damn perfect. A locked-in crowd of real fans, a chunky setlist packed with highlights, and an artist clearly having fun. Zauner was in great form, bouncing joyfully across the stage and occasionally jumping down to get closer to the action. What could’ve easily been a low-energy night turned into something more communal and fully enjoyable. The show didn’t just prove that For Melancholy Brunettes holds up live; it showed the fans are already embracing it like an indie favorite. Here’s to next time.
Photo credit: Rhys Dolman
Byline: Sam Walker-Smart