Stop Missing Shows

Joy Crookes in Portland

418 users on tonedeaf are tracking Joy Crookes

Never miss another Joy Crookes show near Portland.

Joy Crookes
Wonder Ballroom — Portland, OR

Joy Crookes is a London-based singer and songwriter who emerged in the mid-2010s with a sharp, introspective take on indie pop and soul. Her early EPs caught attention for their combination of catchy hooks and genuinely vulnerable lyrics, particularly on tracks like "Skin" where she paired delicate production with unflinching emotional directness. She's known for songs that feel specific to her experience—exploring relationships, identity, and the texture of living in London—but land universal. Crookes released her debut album "Skin" in 2021, cementing her as someone who could write pop songs that didn't shy away from complexity. Her voice has a lived-in quality, never overwrought, often conversational. She's built a dedicated following partly through a reputation for honesty in her writing, and partly because her songs just get stuck in your head without feeling cynical about it.

Crookes keeps things intimate even in bigger rooms. Crowds lean in rather than jump around. She's got a habit of talking between songs—not in a rambling way, but genuinely conversational, which sets the tone. The songs hit harder live, especially the slower ones where you can hear every word clearly.

Known for Skin, Power, Anyone But You, Night Shift, Trouble

Portland's music landscape has always had room for artists who refuse easy categorization. The city's hip-hop and electronic scenes have grown increasingly sophisticated, with audiences that appreciate both technical production and emotional vulnerability. Crookes fits that bill perfectly—her work sits at the intersection of grime, R&B, and indie sensibilities, the kind of genre-blending that Portland crowds tend to respect rather than question.

Stay in the Pearl District or Nob Hill for walkability and the kind of quiet that lets you recover between shows. Eat at Canard, where the charcuterie and wine list are thoughtfully curated—it's the kind of place that respects both food and your time. Spend the afternoon at Powell's Books, the massive independent that justifies its reputation. Walk through Forest Park if the weather cooperates. Portland's best element is how it refuses to take itself too seriously while maintaining actual standards. That's worth the trip.

Stop missing shows.

tonedeaf. reads your music library and emails you when artists you actually listen to have shows near Portland. No app. No ads. No noise.

Sign Up Free