Jake Bugg Brings His Signature Sound to The Wiltern

Nottingham, England’s Jake Bugg’s folk rock style has piqued the interest of many. From the phenomenal strumming of his guitar to his strong singing voice, there’s much to find intriguing about Bugg. He just released his third album, “On My One,” produced by Rick Rubin, and has enjoyed a steady, building buzz here in the U.S. At the Wiltern, Jake Bugg set out to prove that you don’t need to be a kid with a southern drawl to make some serious folk music.

Taking the stage with his electric guitar in hand, you might think that Bugg was a shy, reserved young man. However, at the first strum of his guitar and the roar of the crowd, Bugg came storming out of the gates with an energy that lit up the entire venue. Opening with his hit song, “Two Fingers,” Bugg brought a light touch and just as quickly as another song started, it felt as if each had ended too abruptly, leaving listeners wanting more. After taking off his sweatshirt, Bugg stood in front of the Wiltern crowd with a black shirt and black jeans, creating a sort of Johnny Cash vibe as he strummed along.

While the majority of the set was from his latest album, Bugg made sure to touch on his first two albums, playing songs like “Broken” and one of his biggest hits, “Lightning Bolt.” It was something almost awe inspiring to see and hear such dirty guitar riffs coupled with such a light, crooning voice. By the end of his set, Bugg had performed a solid balance between his three albums, even touching on a few off of his early EPs. With fans asking for an encore, there was no doubt that those in attendance gravitated to Bugg’s strong bravado and English folk swagger.

Jake Bugg struck like lightning on Sept. 13 at The Wiltern