Jalen Ngonda took to the stage at O2 Academy Bournemouth on 27th October for the third night of his UK Doctrine of Love tour.
Olive Jones opened the evening with a fantastic set, setting the mood perfectly for the rest of the night.
I had the opportunity to photograph Jalen at Victorious Festival in August this year, and since then I have been eager to see him perform again. When the chance arose to photograph him in Bournemouth, it was an opportunity I immediately said yes to!
As the venue filled, glittering disco balls reflected across the crowd, transforming the room into a sparkling dance floor and creating the ideal backdrop for Ngonda’s soulful vocals and dynamic live band.
The atmosphere felt completely different to anything I’ve experienced before. From the moment Jalen took to the stage, the audience was fully immersed in the music, hanging on every note and lyric. There was a timeless quality to the performance that made it feel as though we had stepped back into the golden age of Motown.
Particular highlights of the night were Hannah, What’s the Matter? and Burning Temptation. Both tracks showcased not only Ngonda’s exceptional vocal ability but also the emotion and sincerity that run throughout his music. Hearing them performed live brought an extra level of depth that recordings alone can’t quite capture.
Jalen’s voice is truly unique, which creates an immediate connection with the audience. While his recorded work is impressive, videos and streaming platforms simply don’t do his vocals justice. To fully appreciate the richness of his voice, you need to experience it live.
If you ever get the chance to see Jalen Ngonda live, I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Jalen Ngonda will be performing three further dates across the UK before heading off on the North American leg of the tour, where he will be playing live in 8 different cities over two weeks.
