Jaz Karis Soars High at her "Safe Flight" London Gig

On Friday, 22nd November, Islington Assembly Hall was bubbling with the presence of over 800 fans eagerly awaiting London's R&B Princess, Jaz Karis, for the London leg of her Safe Flight tour. The evening was a celebration of the release of her newest album (of the same name), promising an intimate and transformative musical journey.

The night began with Capital Xtra resident DJ Kennedy Taylor setting the tone with a nostalgic R&B soundtrack that had the crowd dancing and belting lyrics out from their seats. Supporting act Ayanna warmed up the crowd with her bouncy beats and strong, fun vocals, providing a perfect prelude to the main event.

Image credits: Lucero Glow / @luceroglow

Karis made a stunning entrance, preceded by a personal VHS video montage of a family

celebration - likely to have been her birthday. This opening was more than just a visual and

exclusive treat; it was a heartfelt tribute to her roots, showcasing the importance of her loved

ones in her artistic and personal narrative. Accompanied by a live band and exceptional backing vocalists, Karis launched into her set with "Side of You," which immediately stirred up the crowd. Fans sang every word, creating an electric atmosphere that set the tone for the evening.

The hour-long performance was a comprehensive journey through Karis' musical evolution.

While celebrating her newest album, she reached back to her early 2017 project ‘Into The

Wilderness’, even bringing out TINYMAN to perform their collaborative track "Want," which

features on the EP. Notable highlights included front runners from Safe Flight like "MET YOU AT A BAR" and "SUNSET BLVD," with special guest appearances from fellow British R&B singer Mahalia and Nigerian singer Reekado Banks adding extra magic and energy to the evening. Mahalia's debut performance of an unreleased song, and her closing performance of popular song "Petty Lover" was a perfect glue to all of the melodic pieces to this emotional journey that I felt very honoured to experience.

The stage design was nothing short of spectacular. Inspired by the album's themes; 3D clouds

and screen projections to create an immersive experience that felt like floating through the sky- a perfect visual metaphor for her album and smooth vocals alike.

What truly set the evening apart was its intimate feel. Despite filling a venue of 800 people,

Karis maintained an incredibly personal connection with her audience. Interactive moments and singalongs created a sense of warmth that made the large space feel like an intimate gathering. Even when faced with inevitable technical difficulties, her positive energy never wavered, creating an experience beyond the sonic offering, which made the crowd feel individually seen.

Safe Flight is more than an album - it's a journey, and this concert was its perfect embodiment.

Karis demonstrated not just her vocal prowess, but her ability to create a truly immersive

musical experience.