When I first heard “Memphis” by a little-known songwriter named Joy Oladokun way back in 2016, I could tell I had discovered a new voice to watch out. Yet, even hearing the talent displayed in that song, I’m still pleasantly surprised by how far Oladokun has come in her career, and the second of two sold-out shows at The Troubadour last week proved I’m not the only one who heard authenticity and heart in her excellently crafted blend of folk, soul, pop and rock music.
Instead of having an opener at the show, Oladokun opened for herself, playing a solo acoustic set to start the evening off with. Giving her a chance to give context to the songs and reveal the inspirations for them, this was the more intimate part of the evening. Beginning with the pop-leaning track “Keeping the Lights On”, things then got a little heavier with “Strong Ones” – a more somber song. Through the evening, Oladokun was open with the audience about everything from her struggles with depression, her discomfort with performing in front of a big audience, and the heartbreak of having to leave places she had considered home (both metaphorically, like the church, and literally with Nashville) as she found the cultures at odds with being a black, queer woman today.
All of these stories would inspire the songs played, such as “Questions, Chaos and Faith”. That all being said, the evening was not without moments of levity. Oladokun would go off on humorous tangents, and admitted to taking a gummy before the show and waiting for it to kick in before performing her cover of Elton John‘s “Rocketman”. The chosen snippets and full covers intertwined with her songs and sets through the night were a great reflection of the wide range of influences on her as a songwriter. There was a snippet of Death Cab for Cutie‘s “I Will Follow You Into the Dark” in “Strong Ones”, a bit of Joan Osborne‘s “What if God Was One Of Us” in “Carry Me”, and a lovely rendition of The Beatles‘ “Blackbird”.
Of course, it was Joy Oladokun‘s owns songs which brought the crowd out that night. After finishing her solo set, Oladokun took a short break before coming back with her band, playing tracks like her hit “Sweet Symphony” (sans Chris Stapleton), the crowd-favorite “Looking Up”, and heartbreaking “Jordan”. One thing that impressed me was Oladokun’s versatility as a guitarist. Whether dropping in blues licks on her acoustic guitar, or practically shredding on her electric, Oladokun showed she was an equally skilled musician on top of being a top notch lyricist and singer.
Her lyrics still are a stand-out, especially on newer songs like “I’d Miss the Birds”, her reflection on leaving Nashville due to the “Proud Boys and their women, making (her) feel out of place”, yet still acknowledging the parts of the city she’d miss. Though personal, this one could still easily connect with everyone feeling currently out of place in what America has become the last ten years.
For her encore, Oladokun broke out some of her catchiest tunes, the easy singalong “Drugs”, and the cheerfully morbid “We’re All Gonna Die”. This brought a stream of energy back to the room, but in perfect Joy fashion, she closed out acoustic. She broke out a brand new song she said she had been working on during the bus trips on the tour, before going into one more of her great acoustic tracks.
There’s a good reason why artists from Stapleton to Manchester Orchestra to Noah Kahan to Maren Morris have collaborated with Oladokun. She’s an across-the-board talent, and someone you should certainly check out if you haven’t already.
Hear more of Joy Oladokun’s music here, and see her on tour near you.
The Indy Review 