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With his debut album’s release only hours away, Jack Penate looks nervous as he meanders onstage hid beneath a hoodie. Soon though, fuelled by the screams of an adoring crowd, pure adrenaline releases the born performer inside him. His anxiety shows as he races through ‘Spit at Stars’, often a centre-piece of his sets, to open the show. The tension, coupled with Jack’s own frenetic style, makes it seem over prematurely. Soon though, he is charming his way through anecdotes about “breaking in his new guitar” and throwing up last time he came to Brighton. Phew, he’s finally relaxing.
This is clear as he rumbles into a tumultuous rendition of ‘Got My Favourite.’ It includes an extended intro that burns away the image of Penate as a sensitive songwriter. The alteration of numerous tracks, while showing rapid musical progression, suggests he is tiring of them already. The readiness to rearrange and alter is as much for his own enjoyment as for the audiences. When performing his ballads, such as the sparkling delicacy of ‘My Yvonne,’ there is restlessness in the room that makes the arrangements seem even sparser. However, Penate’s voice proves emotive enough to resonate over the hubbub and deliver passable presentations.
The songwriting contains an innocence that the setting exaggerates. The Old Market - complete with makeshift drinks desk - resembles a school disco, especially as it is brimming with excited teenagers. The shaky lyrical simplicity of ‘We Will Be Here,’ including “Embrace your sleeping sweetheart with hush/The words I love you mean so much,” manages to be poignant rather than mushy.
The whole set seems an appetiser for the combination of much-loved singles ‘Torn On The Platform’ and ‘Second, Minute or Hour.’ Both are accompanied by the elated backing vocals of a satisfied crowd, plus the bandy-legged joyfulness of Penate’s chaotic dancing. In these tracks, he achieves the middle ground between affecting subtlety and electrifying showmanship.
Nevertheless, they are overshadowed by a cover of The SOS Band’s ‘Just Be Good To Me’ sandwiched between. Backed by a deep, throbbing bass line and a frankly giddy drummer, Jack’s high falsetto slides over the track with a cheeky sneer. The choice is inspired, the delivery audacious, the night complete. The fact a cover proves the highlight illustrates the lack of a strong catalogue of songs, but Jack Penate’s endearing manner and the few dazzling tracks he does possess make him a flawed yet enduring live treat.
