Jake Cornell at We Found New Music – Hotel Ziggy – Live Review

Jake Cornell at We Found New Music – Hotel Ziggy, West Hollywood, CA – April 15, 2026

Another electric night unfolded at We Found New Music at Hotel Ziggy on the Sunset Strip, and this time the spotlight belonged to rising local singer‑songwriter Jake Cornell. By the time Jake stepped onto the stage, the room was already shoulder‑to‑shoulder — and with his teen‑idol charisma, earnest vulnerability, and soaring vocals, he commanded the space instantly. The night already felt special, but Jake had a way of lifting it straight into the stratosphere. 

Fresh off the release of his new EP Heartbreak City, Jake delivered a set that showcased not only his songwriting chops but also his emotional range. Each track felt like a page torn from a diary, sung with the kind of honesty that makes a room go still. He moved effortlessly between tender vulnerability and full‑throttle catharsis, proving he’s as compelling a storyteller as he is a vocalist. Heartbreak, healing, and the messy in‑between were the threads running through the night, and he wove them with a sincerity that resonated deeply. Fans in the crowd sang along — not just to the EP tracks, but even to unreleased songs, a clear sign that Jake’s music is already finding its people and carving out a loyal following.

One of the most powerful moments arrived near the end of the set with “Forgive and Forget,” a song Jake dedicated to his mother. As he opened with the line, “I hope I’m not calling too late, we haven’t talked much since I got to LA,” you could feel the room shift. It was raw, intimate, and disarming — and it brought more than a few audience members to tears. The track is already approaching 10 million streams on Spotify, and hearing it live made it obvious why. 

As always, Grant Owens, the curator behind We Found New Music, continues to spotlight the most compelling emerging artists in Los Angeles. With Jake Cornell, he’s tapped into another undeniable talent — one who seems destined for stages far larger than the cozy, neon‑lit confines of Hotel Ziggy. 

With his heart on full display and a growing catalog of unforgettable songs, Jake Cornell has officially arrived, and he left a lasting impression on everyone packed into that room. If tonight was any indication, his trajectory is only going up from here. 

Stay tuned — an interview with Jake Cornell is coming soon to Highwire Daze Online. 

(Review by Ken Morton – Photos by Karyn Burleigh of Rock Edge Photography)

Jake Cornell on Instagram
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