Bare Jams - 11/06/26

You understand why they’re called ‘The Nest Sessions’ when you walk into the venue with a gasp, and see the band arranged in a circle under a spaceship-like spotlight in the middle of the room, their fans filling the remaining floor space in a format that centralises and 'depedestal-ises' its performers.

The novelty is one Bare Jams look to be enjoying as much as their audience, with saxophonist Jake Heath and trumpeter Seb Skelly swivelling round often to dance with their ever-supportive audience – some of whom stand closer to them than their bandmates. 

The empty, raised stage remains in darkness for the whole show, a remnant of an ‘us-and-them’-type gig, and the evening ends with a 360 view of waving hands and grinning faces.

Bare Jams’ ethos is rooted in collective music-making, so it’s no surprise the band were keen to feature at London’s ‘Nest Sessions’, with support from Eden Lole, who blends her performance into the band’s own with an organically shared presence. The band have the best of both worlds, feeding off the energy from within and outside their circular set-up, and Colours Hoxton’s crowd get a boogie and a show from wherever they choose to stand. Last night’s performance was pure, feelgood fun, and a live music concept we’d love to see more of in a world of glass boxes and ‘untouchables’.