Biig Piig at The Academy: Energy and charisma abound from future superstar

BIIG Piig (Jessica Smyth) brought her Bubblegum tour to a triumphant close at The Academy on Tuesday, March 28.

The Irish-born, London-based singer and rapper has been gradually gaining momentum since 2017 when her first self-released projects caught the ear of music aficionados and label executives – eventually leading to her signing with RCA Records in 2019.

Smyth’s ability to harmoniously marry elements of pop, neo-soul, and hip-hop is evident across her discography and none more so than in her most recent mixtape, ‘Bubblegum’ (2023).

The vibe and infectious nature of her music translates seamlessly to the stage, too.

In The Academy, Smyth was on top form from the outset.

Naturally charismatic and energetic, the Cork-born artist seemingly never stood still, endlessly engaging with the crowd and commanding the stage with the confidence of a much more seasoned performer.

Tracks such as ‘Perdida’, ‘In the Dark’, and ‘Feels Right’ were standout highlights on the night as the sold-out crowd danced along and sang every lyric right back to the goading musician.

With a polished live act and defined studio sound, Smyth clearly has all the tools and potential to become a global superstar in the not-so distant future.

All photos by Gary Ibbotson