JUNNY’s Soulful Perfomance in London – Concert Review

It was 7:30 p.m. when DJ DAUL opened with a fiery mix combining elements from The Prodigy, BLACKPINK, and The Black Eyed Peas, to name just a few. His bold set kicked off the night and got everyone ready for an evening of soul-soaked performance. By 8 p.m., a single heartbeat swept through me: it was time for JUNNY. I’ve been an avid listener since 2018, yet nothing ever prepares me for his shows. Yes, I know his repertoire by heart, but why do the tears still come by the end of every concert? I may never know.

The Korean-Canadian singer-songwriter, often seen as one of the most distinctive R&B voices of his generation, took the stage for the final stop of his null world tour; a perfect conclusion in London, a city whose musical DNA thrives on perpetual evolution and unguarded intimacy. And JUNNY, always versatile, gave us both in full measure. The evening opened with Passion, Pain & Pleasure, from his newest studio album null, and immediately, the audience was reminded why JUNNY’s live vocals are almost impossible to critique. His tone, crystalline yet weighty, was carried with control.

From there, Sour extended the energy with its R&B vibe, and JUNNY’s delivery deftly balanced melancholy and subtle sensuality. “We’re gonna have a lot of fun,” he promised while smiling, then continued, “This is the final stop of the null tour. (…) I will come back if you let me.”

With Energy, the night became more intimate. The song’s smooth, languid rhythm, matched with JUNNY’s graceful movements, could have melted even the iciest hearts. Opening with new material was a deliberate choice, introducing null not just as his latest record, but as a sign of how much he has grown as an artist since his debut.

If there’s one thing JUNNY has mastered, it’s the art of feeling. When he performed Taste from 2024’s dopamine EP, the mood shifted entirely. There was something timeless in his delivery, a fluid mix of classic R&B textures and modern vibes. Think Brian McKnight’s warmth, Babyface’s romantic grace, and D’Angelo’s sensuality, yet shaped by JUNNY’s fresh style. “It’s gonna get sexy, let’s go,” he teased, and the crowd responded with gleeful screams. The segue into Early from his debut concept album Blanc showed JUNNY’s power to inhabit multiple eras of his own artistic growth. The song, symbolising the artist’s early 20s and the emotional palette that coloured his previous years, was delivered with great elegance.

Provider from null came next, before he lightened the tone with Color Me, from Blanc and originally featuring Chung Ha. Between songs, JUNNY displayed his characteristic warmth and humour, joking about opening a Pokémon card, talking about London pubs and football, and promising to return.

JUNNY’s performance of Thank You (2018), dedicated to everyone in the venue, was a moving moment. He followed with By My Side and Not About You, both from Blanc. The latter, written about an ex-partner, struck a chord; JUNNY’s phrasing carried the bittersweet ache of remembered love, while his vocal control brought out every emotional inflection. It’s in moments like these that his genius reveals itself: every performance is slightly different, every song an evolving conversation between artist and audience. From Sweet Release to Dangerous, off null, JUNNY moved through genres, from R&B and soul to groove-driven pop and electronic textures. Limbo, originally featuring Colde, and Movie reminded us of JUNNY’s great approach to songwriting.

By the time he moved to POV and Rush, the energy reached climax. JUNNY performed continuously, rarely leaving the stage. He was completely at ease on stage, holding everyone’s attention while making each fan feel noticed.

Over the years, I realised that JUNNY’s music isn’t made for mass consumption, it’s made for connection. His refusal to dilute emotion for algorithmic trends is exactly what makes his work so beautiful to those who truly listen. With Optimist (originally featuring BLASE), the venue turned into a dance floor; even those of us stationed towards the back couldn’t help but groove. The euphoria peaked during Here We Go Again, a track that turned EartH into a club. “You blew the f***ing system – let’s go!” he shouted, and what did we do? We rolled with JUNNY.

But then, as if to remind us of his range, he pivoted into Invitation, combining harmonies with soft a cappella at the close. “I’m never forgetting this night,” he said, visibly moved. “I’m supposed to say something, but I’m speechless right now.”

Few artists would dare close a set with an eight-minute opus, but JUNNY isn’t “few artists.” Weight of Time – arguably one of his most profound compositions – was a tour de force. Musically and lyrically, it expressed JUNNY’s philosophical depth. Next to Me and Figure 8 provided a breathtaking finale. As the stage lights were gone, only JUNNY’s silhouette remained, illuminated by phone torches. Holding the British flag, he sang with so much passion. Tears welled in eyes, his and mine; perhaps no one could fully explain why. There’s simply something ineffable about JUNNY, something that bypasses intellect and goes straight to the soul.

As the encore arrived with Daylight and Invitation, JUNNY had given everything, and London returned it tenfold. From start to finish, he reminded the city why live music still matters; when it’s done right, it doesn’t just entertain, it keeps us alive.

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Written by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}