Velvet Brass and Sacred Sounds: Venna’s ICA Soirée (Live Review)

On May 1st, Grammy-Award Winning saxophonist Venna graced the Institute of Contemporary Arts by hosting an intimate show for listeners and fans alike, following shortly after the recent release of single ‘Prophet’, before the release of his highly anticipated album. 

The South London saxophonist and producer is pioneering a genre-blending sound, fusing jazz with UK rap and drill to create smooth, boundary-pushing instrumentals. A Grammy Award winner at just 21 for his work on Burna Boy’s Twice As Tall, Venna also featured on Beyoncé’s The Gift. His debut EP Venology (2021) included collaborations with Emil, JVCK James, and Jada, while the plethora of other artists he has collaborated with include Masego, Mick Jenkins, Yussef Dayes, among other genre-bending artists.  

Fellow British artist CARI served as the opener for the special night, performing the popular  ‘CARI’S HONEYMOON’ for the first time, her recent interlude feature on US R&B singer Destin Conrad ‘s recent album, Love On Digital.

 Arriving on stage with her guitar and a readiness to bring her artistry to fans through her steady stage presence, CARI's honeyed vocals set the scene for the night, melting into the energy of an attentive crowd in awe of her striking presence, which demands the energy of the room. Allowing pockets of introspection to seep into her set, CARI prepared the quiet multitude gathered to witness musical greatness. A short but memorable set, CARI received a warm welcome from the crowd, having left her mark, leaving space for the anticipated performance of Venna himself.  

Photo Credits - @lovell.small @makingnumbers (Instagram)

Arriving on stage alongside his band, Venna began his mesmerising set with much-loved classics like ‘Casa Lopez’ and the recently released single ‘Prophet’, which he performed live for the first time. Alongside lush and free-flowing instrumentation, weaving in and throughout the trills of his saxophone. 

Writing yet another story behind the scenes that is set to be released, Venna teased with tracks from his upcoming album, and performed unheard tracks from the project for the first time live. Aware that they were partaking in a golden experience so rare, each portion of Venna’s set was met with ardour and wonder from the crowd, who gradually but completely became fully fixated on and saturated by sounds that stirred up a new appreciation and affection for the music Venna has created.

Fusing classics like John Coltrane’s ‘Naima’ into his set, the saxophonist was truly at one with his instrument, leading each trill, note, and vibrato from his heart to the crowd. Sharing some rare insights, Venna spoke with the crowd in between the tracks, sharing a few origin stories of some of his much-loved classics, such as the esteemed ‘Sun Moon and Herbs’, featuring British musician JVCK JAMES.

He shared with the crowd how the desire to complete the track saw the duo and their collaborators stay overnight in a studio until 10 am the next day, aware in the aim of leaving the studio within their given time frame, but more importantly, to leave and be able to carry their thoughts and feelings in a fully realised and tangible musical manifestation. Such labours of love are what characterise Venna’s music, and each insight and story shared is savoured by the crowd, making the live experience of his musicality that much more special. Enveloping each person in the warmth of the brass chords, Venna’s harmonic sync with his saxophone spoke for itself. 

As rare as this performance was the merchandise, with limited vinyls and small photography zines consisting of a curated selection of Venna's photography gathered in between explanations for his previous musical offerings - Venology, created in the thick of a global pandemic and serving as a peaceful pocket of creative hibernation, and Equinox, a project that symbolised balance, made between the hectic schedule that the tour life brought to Venna.

An intimate night has never felt so open and welcoming - yet so secluded and sacred. Each person in attendance was truly an advocate of Venna’s sound, awaiting his upcoming body of work together, in the crowded room in unity. 

Venna's upcoming project is set to prove why he has been cemented in the music scene as one of the most important instrumentalists of our generation, turning classical music and jazz into more than a musical staple for the newer generations.

Venna’s night at the ICA showed fans and listeners alike that his musical mission remains the same - to break barriers and make music that moves.