Friday October 21, 2011

Review & photography by Frances Roach

Support from: Devlin, Cherri V

Jessie J has blown up over the past 12 months, with chart success in the UK, across Europe, even so far as breaking the States. Embarking on her first official UK tour,  and opting to play in medium-sized theatre venues, it is apparent that these will most probably be the smallest venues she will be performing in for a long time.

With her devoted ‘Heartbeats’, Jessie’s loyal supporters, queuing and braving the cold weather since the early hours of the morning, it is clear that this is a much anticipated sold out show. The larger stage at the O2 Manchester Apollo in comparison to other venues on the tour allows the full stage set to be constructed and Jessie J uses this to full effect, opening with ‘Big White Room’, sitting in a statuesque pose on a chair with a rotating red velvet stage, her voice is already the focus of the show.

Incorporating a pleasant remix of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ into fan favourite ‘Stand Up’ gets the balcony spectators up on their feet. A solid performer with positive stage presence, Jessie J knows how to belt out a tune. ‘Nobody’s Perfect’, ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘I Need This’ are performed with a much energised sound compared to their counterparts on her debut album ‘Who You Are’, much due to her impressive live band and backing vocalists. Before entering into current single and title track ‘Who You Are’, Jessie J explains her eyebrow-raising choice of outfit, donning a purple bodysuit to show her support for the LBGT community before pouring out her emotions into a beautifully version of one of her most personal songs.

Continuing into the encore with debut chart hits ‘Do It Like A Dude’ and her most successful single to date ‘Price Tag’, the crowd are still fully attentive. Ending with the vocally powered ‘Domino’, Jessie J leaves the audience roaring with a much deserved standing ovation. Everyone is more than satisfied with such an impressive vocal and visual perfomance from one of the UK’s biggest stars. No doubt Jessie J will be selling out arenas across the country next time round.

5/5

http://jessiejofficial.com/