The Irish, West London-based artist, (real name Jessica Smyth), took to socials this week to unveil the benefit gig, stating: “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the most horrific I’ve seen in my lifetime. There have been so many lives destroyed and dreams taken from innocent people. I wanted to hold an event to raise money to support the people that have been affected and to spread awareness to what’s happening in real time.”

The Cork native gave thanks to her friends and artists participating in the night of music; a stellar lineup of acoustic performances and DJ sets from the likes of Kojaque, Maverick Sabre, Lava La Rue, Mac Wetha, Jelani Blackman, and Yunè Pinku. She went on to also thank the venue for hosting and Choose Love for their extended humanitarian efforts around the world.

In 2016, Choose Love, formerly known as Help Refugees, became the largest grassroots organisation and distributor of aid in Europe, and has gone on to support refugees and displaced people across the globe for nearly a decade.

Emma Stevenson, Deputy CEO of Choose Love, commented: “We’re so grateful to Biig Piig choosing love and helping us get essential aid to the 2+million people trapped inside Gaza. It’s unbearable to witness the devastation and suffering of so many people. But by Choosing Love there is always something we can do when we come together. Biig Piig and everyone who attends the event on February 4th will be making a huge difference.”

The singer confirmed that 100% of all profits raised from ticket sales and merchandise will go towards the non-governmental organisation and will directly support emergency response work in Gaza amid the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Since the conflict reached its boiling point in October 2023, other artists across the industry have banded together to express their concern, most recently with Dua Lipa calling for a ceasefire and urging for world leaders to take a stand.

Tickets for the sold out show are still available here at £25, with an opportunity to join a waiting list. Doors are expected to open at 6:30pm, with the event starting at 7pm, plus appearances from special surprise guests.

Biig Piig also did a cover of Big Thief’s track from 2016, “Masterpiece“. She praised the band’s frontwoman Adrianne Lenker for amazing lyrics and the song for putting her in “such an amazing headspace”.

Smyth commented: “That record kind of got me through a lot,” Smyth noted. “I only found it recently, like within the last year. And it’s like, you know when you attach yourself to a piece of music and you’re like ‘right, it’s you and me now, we got this‘”.
“It’s where you just grab on to something for dear life and you’re like, ok as long as I can play this, everything’s going to be fine“.
The last song that the singer performed a the BBC 1 show was a cover of “Why Don’t You Love Me” by Beyonce. See sniped of it below.

Unwind with this beautiful Piano Session from @BiigPiigMusic – including a cover of @beyonce‘s ‘Why Don’t You Love Me’

Listen in full on @bbcsounds pic.twitter.com/tw9CadR2Z6

— BBC Radio 1 (@BBCR1) August 15, 2021

Biig Piig latest release “The Sky Is Bleeding” came out in May and received positive reviews. NME labelled it “Smyth’s most diverse and assertive collection yet“. Pitchfork added in their reviews that “Smyth’s catalog makes for enjoyable chill-out material for the warming nights, but it occasionally downplays her personality and ability to capture the beautiful mess of young adulthood“.

At the time of release, Smyth said: “I feel like the more I hang out with myself, and the more I hang out with my music, it’s becoming more apparent that’s what I am. I’m just a big mess, in a nice way…Everything, my whole life, has been a big scramble. The big pig…the big mess… but in a way, that’s the sweetest thing”. You can read more info about the EP here.

The EP has been highly awaited since the release of her single ‘Feels Right’ in 2020. ‘Feels Right’ as a single contributed to the artists varied and powerful discography, which has been developing since her first EP ‘Big Fan of The Sesh, Vol.1’. The same and more can be said for the inclusion of ‘The Sky Is Bleeding’.

‘The Sky Is Bleeding’ shows Biig Piig’s ever-evolving production of original and nuanced music, but this time with a lustful, intimate touch. The tracks, from ‘Remedy’ to ‘American Beauty’ are a production of the experiences of youth, contributing to a personal yet relatable narrative.

In speaking about her EP Smyth described it as “one about secrets; kind of written for myself, but putting them out into the world. No shame and guilt – it’s healing thinking it’ll be out there”.

Smyth’s reputation for unique and experimental music is evident in her new EP, which was released on May 21st. Mixed with the alternative, indie genre that Biig Piig is most commonly associated with, the artist can be seen developing music in genres such as jazz in the track ‘Tarzan’. This experimental take on music is all achieved whilst Smyth maintains her effortless, 90’s grunge image.

Biig Piig is an unforgettable name, with a unique image and sound. In an interview with Loud and Quiet Smyth explains the origin of the name Biig Piig. Originally a name she read on a pizza menu; the name stuck. In the same interview, Smyth said:

“I feel like the more I hang out with myself, and the more I hang out with my music, it’s becoming more apparent that’s what I am. I’m just a big mess, in a nice way…Everything, my whole life, has been a big scramble. The big pig…the big mess… but in a way, that’s the sweetest thing”

There is no doubt that ‘The Sky Is Bleeding’ proves the evolving talent of Smyth and the music world can only expect to see a lot more of her. Biig Piig is set to be performing across the UK this summer at festivals such as Bestival and Tramlines. She is also supporting Glass Animals on their UK tour in November this year.

You can listen to ‘The Sky is Bleeding‘ on Spotify now.

And I love you so much for embracing all the changes in my style of music, I feel so tied to all of those sounds and am not finished exploring them but rn I’m in my sxc dom phase and feeling great

— BiigPiig (@BiigPiigMusic) April 17, 2021

 Biig Piig’s new EP ‘The Sky Is Bleeding’ is coming out on 21st May. The album can be preordered here. The singer says it “is a project that I’ve let myself be free and open about situations and fantasies of mine that I haven’t touched on before. My sexuality and secrets I wanted to take the listener as close as I could to some of the intimate and vulnerable places I go alone”. 

‘Lavender’ is Biig Piig’s first single of this year. Last month she collaborated with an LA R&B group Emotional Oranges on a ‘Body & Soul’ song.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Biig Piig (@biig_piig)

‘Cuenta Lo’,  which translates in to English as ‘count it’, is centred around human greed. Biig Piig stated that the track is “an alter-ego-driven song about money, sex and power.” The track has a haunting beat with drill-like clicks. The vocals start by being whispered to you, creating a spooky atmosphere whilst listening, invoking the feeling ‘as if we’re in the shoes of a high-level player, oozing through shady bars and casinos, getting silent respect from everyone we pass.’ Biig Piig is experimental in her neo-soul music, similarly saluting her Spanish roots in tracks such as ‘Perdida’ released in 2018.  

Before music, Biig Piig worked in a range of roles including receptionist, bartender and a poker dealer at Londons Hippodrome. The music video to ‘Cuenta Lo’ is focused on the time the singer spent as a poker dealer. Directed by Nono Ayuso and Rodrigo Inada, the eerie video portrays the singer as a poker dealer again, with several players at her table. The video shows the players as greedy and money-obsessed, eventually moving in to supernatural, demonic images of the poker players. The singer stated that the ‘frighteningly special’ video is ‘based around when I used to be a poker dealer, and it’s about the coldness and greediness that money can bring in all industries… including music.”  

Following on from 2020’s success with tracks such as ‘Feels Right’, Biig Piig has switched up her style again with ‘Cuenta Lo’. The almost sinister feel to the track with the ominous music video differs it from other releases but is just as exciting and new. The track has been deservedly included in NME’s ‘Best New Track’ playlist (on Spotify). As part of the Nine8 collective, Biig Piig stated that ‘Nine8 is all people of a similar age and ethos creating a safe space to ask questions and help each other out.’ 

NME’s Best New Tracks: the week’s biggest and best releases from…@slowthai @NipseyHussle@taylorswift13 @DUALIPA @HeadieOne x @burnaboy @Central_Cee @KingsOfLeon @work1ngmensclub @vynehall @BiigPiigMusic & more! Listen and subscribe: https://t.co/wFTy0Uny8e pic.twitter.com/WM3U9RU9bS — NME (@NME) February 12, 2021

Speaking to Dork Magazine, the singer stated her future plans for the year to come, ’I’ve got a lot of plans for 2021 for releases, as for shows though I’ve a plan but we’re just going to have to wait and see if it’ll be allowed. If it is though I think it’ll be really special the way I’m planning to do – it’ll be more of an experience than any live shows I’ve done in the past.’

The track itself exudes excitable energy, with Smyth’s vocals gliding atop of the groove-filled instrumental. Pulsating drumbeats, dreamy guitar samples, and funky bass-lines permeating throughout, all colliding to form a track that feels at home on a disco dancefloor.

“‘Feels Right’ is a track about the energy of a night out. I miss going out so much,” Smyth stated in a press release. “The feeling of letting go and being surrounded by sweaty people; meeting strangers and one-night romances; the tunes and ecstasy. So, we made ‘Feels Right’ with that in mind. The closest we can get to that feeling again right now is writing about it.” It’s a feeling that can be understood by the masses, and yet throughout the track, Biig Piig evokes a level of intimacy between artist and audience that goes beyond any typical storytelling, whisking anyone who listens away to her club-filled daydream.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Biig Piig (@biig_piig)

This release comes after the singer’s previous releases ‘Oh No’ and ‘Liahr’, both of which dropped last month. “‘Oh No’ is about being sad but also lockdown, unintentionally,” The singer explained in a press release. “The safest place to be was my room – when I got paranoid or anxious or upset, hiding away felt like the easiest thing to do. Which is mad, because then quarantine happened and that literally was the safest place to be.” Smyth has also been collaborating with a number of artists, most notably ‘NiNE8’, a collective project including artists such as Lava La Rue and Nayana IZ. Though the artist is yet to announce the follow-up to her own renowned 2019 album ‘No Place for Patience, Vol. 3.’, the energy that filters though ‘Feels Right’ is an assurance to fans that whatever the artist releases next, will be worth listening.

Those who attended were required to purchase tickets for £8, with all profits going towards the two charities, and viewers could also donate more if they felt able. There were a limited number of tickets, making the show very intimate.

View this post on Instagram

SHOW (STREAMED) So excited for this Out on 9th of August Any tickets brought previously are still valid All profits going to two amazing charities, Refuge and Trans Women Of Color Survival Fund With support from the best @skoowup @nayanaiz @enny_integrity Link in bio Shot by legend @melony.lemon Styled by angel @jaimejarvis

A post shared by Biig Piig (@biig_piig) on Jul 22, 2020 at 4:12am PDT

Following fellow artists NAYANA IZ and Enny, Smyth took to the Moth Club stage for the first time to play an acoustic set with her band. Described by NME as “soulful” and “moody”, the setlist included Biig Piig original songs such as ‘Don’t Turn Around’ and ‘Roses and Gold’, as well as a moving cover of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What A Wonderful World’.

Smyth was very excited to be a part of the gig, promoting it on her Instagram beforehand. During the performance, she became slightly more shy, perhaps due to the lack of a live audience, but remained positive, putting her heart into each song.

View this post on Instagram

TONIGHT last chance to get tickets for the virtual gig tonight! All profits going to two amazing charities Refuge and the Trans Women of Color Survival Fund link in my bio bbs x

A post shared by Biig Piig (@biig_piig) on Aug 9, 2020 at 5:35am PDT

‘Don’t Turn Around’ is the latest single from the artist, released on 21st July as BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac’s Hottest Record. The song was shared via Sony Music and has so far gained 800,000 streams on Spotify, and a wonderful reception from fans. Smyth thanked her fans a few weeks after the release, saying, “Honestly it’s been insane watching it grow like it has. These samples played such a big part in the track so grateful to work with the people I do. I’m so excited for everything that’s to come love you loads, stay safe you beauties.”

Check out the full setlist from Biig Ping’s livestream showcase below.

1. ‘Bar’
2. ‘Shh’
3. ‘Vete’
4. ‘Pingu’
5. ‘Perdida’
6. ‘Lie To Me’
7. ‘What a Wonderful World’ (Louis Armstrong Cover)
8. ‘Dinners Gettin’ Cold’
9. ‘Roses & Gold’
10. ’24K’
11. ‘Don’t Turn Around’
12. ‘Dance Like You’ (Okay Kaya cover)
13. ‘Sunny’