Jalen Ngonda in Zurich

Another night, another concert, this time it was Jalen Ngonda in Zurich. Jalen brought old-school soul back to the spotlight. With a voice that sounds like it travelled straight from the golden age of Motown, the American singer-songwriter has been winning hearts with his smooth vocals, timeless sound, and undeniable groove.

I was already a fan, so I was happy to finally witness his headline show at X-TRA in Zurich. I missed his set at Winterthurer Musikfestwochen a few years ago, but luckily got to see him open for Olivia Dean. This time, it was all about Jalen, and I was more than ready.

Brooke Combe Opens the Night in Zurich

Opening the night was Scottish singer Brooke Combe, whose soulful vocals and blend of retro influences and modern pop made her a fitting choice for the evening. She set the mood nicely before it was time for the main event at 9 pm.

Concert Photos: Brooke Combe

A Night of Old-School Soul

The stage design was simple, with a retro touch that fit perfectly into the venue without trying too hard. Sometimes, you really don’t need much more than the right atmosphere, great musicians, and a voice that does all the talking. Jalen Ngonda brought his Motown-meets-Soul Train vibe to Zurich, and the audience loved it. X-TRA sadly wasn’t sold out, and honestly, I don’t understand how more people didn’t show up. They really missed out on a treat.

One of the highlights for me was discovering a new favourite song: Taken Out of the Picture. Jalen introduced it as a very sad song, and he wasn’t wrong. Apparently, I’m just a sucker for those really sad songs that hit a little too close to home sometimes. Between a few introductions to one or two songs, Jalen wasn’t a man of many words that night, but I didn’t mind one bit. I was perfectly happy letting the music do the talking, soaking up every smooth vocal, every groovy melody, and all those old-school soul vibes.

All in all, another great concert, filled with cool vibes, timeless sounds, and a newfound (or perhaps rediscovered) love for old-school soul music. Jalen Ngonda reminded everyone in the room why this sound never really goes out of style. And if you weren’t there, well, you missed a good one.