Joy Oladokun played a packed night at Irving Plaza in New York City as part of The Blackbird Tour in January, and the crowd was one of the most diverse ones I have ever seen at a concert. In addition to playing a set with her band, Joy also opened the night with an acoustic set of both original songs and covers. Their passion for music and raw honesty with the audience was accompanied by their great sense of humor, which was another notable highlight of the evening.

Joy played songs off their most recent album, the critically acclaimed OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM, as well as 2023’s Proof of Life and 2021’s in defense of my own happiness. Each of these full-length works highlight Joy’s artistry and ability to pair complex songwriting with strong instrumentals. Hearing various songs from Joy’s discography with both just a guitar as well as a full band was a unique experience that demonstrated how easily Joy’s music can transcend different genres of sound. In addition, I really enjoyed hearing the unique ways in which Joy seamlessly blended her own songs with classics like Elton John’s “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)” and The Beatles’s “Blackbird.” Throughout the set, Joy spoke to the crowd about her experiences and hardships as a recording and traveling musician, which allowed fans to get to know her better. Joy’s ability to captivate such a large and diverse audience should not go unnoticed, and she has accomplished so much since the start of her music career.

The Blackbird Tour will be stopping in many cities until the end of March, and this is absolutely your sign to buy tickets and see Joy and their band live this year!