You may not be familiar with Jacob Alon, but this up-and-coming Scottish folk singer has a voice that’s truly remarkable. People often compare them to Nick Drake and Jeff Buckley; even Elton John is a supporter. During much of Alon’s biggest London performance to date, the audience seemed so captivated that you could’ve heard a pin drop. The serene atmosphere was nearly disrupted by a political clash with an audience member.
The 26-year-old (who identifies with they/them pronouns) grew up on a council estate in Dunfermline, Fife, initially opting to study medicine and theoretical physics instead of taking the risk of pursuing music. Fast forward to 2026, and Alon is basking in critical praise: last year’s debut album In Limerence earned a Mercury Prize nomination, and just this January, they won the Brits’ Critics Choice award, following in the footsteps of stars like Adele, Sam Fender and Florence and the Machine.
On Saturday night at the Roundhouse in north London, conversations between songs shifted from personal confessions about nerves to political statements. A call for “Free Palestine” was followed by a new song regarding Gaza, featuring lyrics like “Palestine will be free to the middle sea.” The artist then urged attendees to boycott Israeli products as a response to the controversial death penalty bill passed by Knesset last month.
A heckler shouted back: “What about a free Ukraine?” To which Alon responded “Absolutely… and Sudan. The liberation of one people is not at the expense of another.” This exchange broke some of the spell cast by their songs and slightly affected the mood for the remainder of the evening.
At one point, standing in awe-filled silence, the slight singer with curly hair looked around at the famous Camden venue and said, “This is where Nick Drake played his first ever show. Big fan – as you can probably tell.” Personally, I hear more of Michigan singer-songwriter Sufjan Stevens in Alon’s vibrato, guitar skills and poignant lyrics. Three songs performed on Saturday hinted at their immense potential: Confession, an emotional ballad about trying to numb past wounds with substances; breakthrough track Fairy in a Bottle; and an incredible piano cover of Nirvana’s All Apologies.
However, to truly soar high in their career, Alon needs to work on avoiding lyrics that are perhaps too direct when conveying meaning or messages. For any songwriter aiming for greatness rather than just good work, knowing when to hold back can make all the difference.
Jacob Alon will perform in Leeds, Newcastle, London’s Hyde Park and Edinburgh this coming July and August; jacobalon. scot/
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