Joy Crookes in San Francisco

About Joy Crookes

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

Joy Crookes in San Francisco News

• Joy Crookes to Play U.S. Headlining Dates This Spring in Support of New Album BroadwayWorld.com · Feb 5, 2026
• Noah Kahan Collabs With Lewis Capaldi, Gracie Abrams & Gigi Perez At Hyde Park JamBase · Jul 7, 2025
• Glastonbury 2025: Olivia Rodrigo, Rod Stewart and Noah Kahan — as it happened The Times · Jun 30, 2025
• Foo Fighters Will Play a Phoenix Concert This Fall – Here’s How to Get Tickets Phoenix New Times · Apr 11, 2023
• Don’t Call Joy Crookes an Old Soul Harper's BAZAAR · Jan 5, 2022

Live Music in San Francisco

San Francisco's indie-pop scene has always had a soft spot for introspective songwriters who aren't afraid to get personal. The city's venues—from intimate clubs to mid-sized theaters—suit artists like Crookes who trade in detail and vulnerability over bombast. Local audiences tend to appreciate musicians who sound like they're thinking out loud, which is basically Crookes's entire thing.

San Francisco road trip to see Joy Crookes?

Stay in Hayes Valley or the Mission—both neighborhoods have the kind of restaurants and bars that make a weekend feel deliberate rather than touristy. Head to State Bird Provisions for dinner if you can get in; it's precise and inventive without being pretentious. Spend a day in Muir Woods or hiking around Twin Peaks for actual views of the city. The de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is worth a couple hours if the weather holds. Hit up a coffee place on Valencia Street in the Mission just to sit and watch the neighborhood move around you.