Artemas’ LOVECORE
Artemas SELLS OUT
Jannus Live
Photos by: Maya Mckeefery (its_just_maya)
There is something inherently cinematic about Jannus Live. The iconic outdoor courtyard, nestled tightly between historic brick walls, usually lends itself to breezy indie and rock shows. But on Friday night, March 20th, UK singer-songwriter and producer Artemas transformed the venue into a dark, post-breakup fever dream.
Bringing his Lovercore Tour to a completely packed crowd, Artemas delivered a masterclass in translating internet-breaking, bedroom-produced dark pop into a living, breathing live performance. When the lights cut, an ominous intro tape began to loop through the venue. Artemas took the stage with a minimalistic yet highly effective setup: a small split-level platform surrounded by blue and purple strobes, a keyboard, and a secondary microphone layered with heavy vocal effects.
Moving between raw vocals and heavily stylized, pitch-shifted delivery, he structured the setlist like the timeline of a beautifully toxic relationship. Early standouts like “i always kinda knew you'd be the death of me” and “how could u love somebody like me?” immediately set a frantic pace. The driving, scratchy bass lines bounced perfectly off the surrounding brick walls, vibrating through the soles of the crowd’s shoes.
Ella Boh
Henry Morris
Artemas
Artemas has a unique knack for short, punchy vignettes. Rather than stretching tracks out, he zooms in on hyper-specific emotions: the panic of a late-night text, the blurred lines of a crowded room, and the emotional chaos that follows. Just as those feelings reach their peak, the songs cut off abruptly, creating a constant sense of emotional whiplash.
Some of the biggest highlights of the night included “wet dreams,” “if u think i’m pretty,” “time alone w u,” and “i like the way you kiss me.” The mid-set run was remarkably moody. The laid-back, low-register drone of “time alone w u” had the entire courtyard swaying in unison, serving as a brief lull before the chaos of the finale.
When the opening notes of his breakout hit “if u think i’m pretty” echoed across the venue, the crowd’s collective scream nearly drowned out the PA system. Artemas closed the night with the unstoppable juggernaut “i like the way you kiss me,” leaving the audience sweat-drenched and completely captivated.
Artemas at Jannus Live proved that dark pop has found its next great star. He seamlessly bridged the gap between internet intimacy and massive open-air showmanship. If this performance proved anything, it’s that courtyard venues won’t be able to hold him for much longer.
Words by: Maya Mckeefery