On her album-opening track, “Describe,” southern native Hannah Jadagu sings, “Maybe it’s getting time we head back to Texas/Don’t you hate this weather?” I believe many Bostonians would agree. Although she does not adore the bitter cold weather, Hannah Jadagu still graced Roadrunner with her presence, opening for Del Water Gap on Tuesday, January 27th. Accompanied by her iconic yellow guitar, she took to the stage with guitarist Garrett Chabot and drummer Jacob Stockman to open with “Lose,” a song about unrequited love, from her debut album Aperture.
Jadagu has come a long way from creating DIY tunes on her iPhone, which gave life to her 2021 EP, What Is Going On? Her latest project, Describe, articulates her thoughts and emotions through melodious, evocative songs that explore the tension between craving connection and needing distance and time to grow. Throughout her set, she played songs that echoed these emotions, such as “Gimme Time” and “My Love.”
Singing to crowds of thousands may seem glamorous, but touring has its downsides, one of which is the distance from loved ones. In the chorus of “Gimme Time,” Jadagu chants, “Give me time, give me time, I know/Give me time, give me time, to grow.” Although the song’s lyrics are very poignant, Jadagu sings them effortlessly, interacting with the audience and energizing the crowd. With this energy, she asks for one thing in exchange: for everyone to have a good time as she primes them for Del Water Gap’s set.
Her signature platinum braids, as seen on both of her album covers, flowed effortlessly down her back as she allured the audience with songs like “Doing Now” and “Say It Now.” With each song’s end, the audience roared in applause, in contrast to the soft and humble “thank-yous” from Jadagu. The venue then lit up as fans put up their lights as she sang her heart-wrenching ballad, “Bergamont.”
Before serenading the venue with her second-to-last song, Jadagu asked if there were any singers willing to help her. An individual named Grace raised her hand, daring to sing alongside Jadagu in the packed Roadrunner venue. Jadagu then introduced Grace to the crowd, asking for complete silence as the two sang. Together, the two familiarized the concertgoers with the chorus to Jadagu’s song, “All My Time Is Wasted.” Seeing how badly the crowd wanted to pitch in, she invited them all to sing along, challenging them to sing the cathartic lyrics as loudly as possible.
Jadagu ended her set on a sweet note, with Describe’s vibrant debut single, “My Love.” The energetic song encapsulates the euphoric feeling of longing for someone who’s just out of reach. She sang “My love, I hope you get home on time,” while throwing up finger hearts to the crowd. The world of indie pop must brace itself because Jadagu is ready to take it by storm. Her relatable music captures relatable emotions and experiences and packages them with unique lyrics and melodies that are authentically hers. Be sure to stay on the lookout for Hannah Jadagu and catch her next time she’s in Boston, which is hopefully very soon.