It’s a Friday night at the iconic Islington Assembly Hall, and I’ve arrived to see the legendary Alison Limerick take to the stage. Marking the forthcoming release of her album SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW and her first London headline show in years, the evening invites us to “Come On In” for a showcase of greatest hits and brand-new material – a testament to an incredible thirty years in music.
Opening the show was Maddox Jones, the Northampton-born indie-pop artist whose performances are as intimate as they are uplifting. He began with the vibrant “My House,” before leading into the anthemic coming-of-age track “21,” which captivated the audience with its emotional and reflective tone. Showcasing melodic material from his recent deluxe album (Still) Waiting For The World To Turn, Jones closed his set on a soaring high note, with the title track’s sing-along appeal lingering long afterwards. With more music on the horizon, Jones is certainly one to watch throughout 2026.
Then, taking to the stage alongside her Sista Nu Soul band, Limerick immediately launched into her rich catalogue of house, dance, and soul tracks – songs that stand comfortably alongside some of the genre’s biggest names of the past three decades. Despite the evening featuring many of her best-known songs, this was far from a nostalgia trip; instead, it felt like a celebration of her genre-blending style and enduring versatility as a vocalist.
Of course, the immediate reaction was to dance, swept away by Limerick’s earthy tones and rhythmic, colourful discography – and that’s exactly what the audience did as she delivered vibrant renditions of ’90s classics “Make It On My Own” and “Time Of Our Lives.” “Put Your Faith In Me” revealed a more ethereal, immersive side, leaning into deep house influences as she carried the performance with grace and ease. Her vocals remained the standout throughout, effortlessly holding the audience in the palm of her hand as the energy never once faltered.
While fans indulged in familiar favourites, Limerick also used the evening as a stunning preview of SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW, an anthology-style project featuring brand-new material. Among the highlights was lead single “Sista, Mother, Child,” which unveiled a more vulnerable side to her typically dance-driven sound. With deeply personal lyricism and a soulful piano-led arrangement dedicated to her late mother, the track reduced the room to near silence before building into an uplifting crescendo that left behind a lingering warmth.
The show was everything you could want from an Alison Limerick performance – fun, passionate, and deeply engaging – yet it still managed to exceed expectations. Her joyous rendition of “I’m Every Woman” sparked uproar from the crowd, while another debut, “Right Here,” offered an exciting glimpse into the next chapter of her career.
Naturally, the night closed with her iconic house anthem “Where Love Lives,” leaving the audience glowing and eager to discover what SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW has in store.
Limerick has always carved her own path, and she continues to do so with style, soul, and unwavering authenticity.