Japanese Breakfast @ Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 22 Oct

The mood in Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket is calm, even docile, as we wait for Michelle Zauner – better known as Japanese Breakfast – to take the stage. Zauner's 2021 album Jubilee dropped just months after her best-selling book, Crying in H Mart, was released. Coupled with her lifelong connection with Korean food and culture, Zauner's memoir chronicles her life before and after the death of her mother. When she announced Jubilee on Twitter, all Zauner said was that it was "about joy". The album is full of peaks and troughs – musical ideas swell to an emotional breaking point before dissolving into soothing refrains. 

Experienced live, Japanese Breakfast's music feels much the same. Zauner kicks off tonight's show with Jubilee's most popular tracks, Paprika and Be Sweet. Backed by a tightly coordinated five-piece band, Zauner moves freely and intuitively, bouncing charmingly with the music. Brandishing a large mallet, Zauner frequently gives way to her band. Seeing the music from Jubilee live reminds me just how much of Japanese Breakfast's music is purely instrumental. Many of her songs feature long, sweeping, and multilayered instrumental breaks. During these breaks, each member of the band gets to shine. Adam Schatz stands out on the saxophone, and violinist Lauren Elizabeth Baba brings out the stunning beauty of the string melodies. Zauner's clear, even vocals mix with the band to create a cohesive, well-practised sound.

Image: Japanese Breakfast at Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 22 Oct by Elliot Hetherton

After the opening songs, Zauner grabs her electric guitar and launches into the next song. Throughout the entire show, Zauner only takes one or two breaks to talk; and even then, it's only a few short words. It's clear that she is all about the music. It's possible that, in these instrumental moments, Zauner lets go of the spotlight a bit too freely. In the front half of the show, the energy sags from time to time as Zauner's attention lingers upstage of the mic stand. One of the reasons I love live gigs is the possibility of getting to know the artist a bit better – hearing their thoughts about the music, this place, et cetera while they are in the very same room as I am. While Zauner delivers that in small doses, her lack of dialogue with the crowd encourages us to just be here for the music. 

It's in the encore songs that Zauner really connects with the crowd. We get to see her perform songs that are meaningful to her – and we get to hear a bit more from her about why. Japanese Breakfast's music is polished, atmospheric, and emotional. When her stage presence reflects that energy, it's magic.