– SOUND CONTROL, MANCHESTER –
Jessie Ware is very much your girl next door pop star. It was only a few years back that the South London based vocalist was just beginning her musical career as a backing singer for mid-noughties indie king Jack Penate. A few low key but seminal collaborations later and Ware has become one of the UK’s brightest new star’s and has released one the best debut albums of the year; Devotion. Fresh from her Mercury Music Prize nomination, Jessie is out of the road of her first ever headlining tour around the UK. Tonight we’re at Sound Control in Manchester for a sold out show, and it seems that everyone in attendance is fully aware that this probably the last time we’re likely to see Jessie in a venue of this size and as a result of the this, there is a real good vibe buzzing about the room in light of tonight’s performance.
It’s just past 9 ‘o’ clock and Jessie’s three piece backing band ascend onto the stage, all dressed in black and launch into one of ‘Devotion’s’ many highlights ‘Still Love Me’. On record this is quite a laid back little number, but tonight the groove takes over and the hushed acoustic samples in the chorus, turn into a fully electric and super jazzy guitar melody and Jessie Ware takes to the stage, wowing the crowd with her unique look and note perfect vocals; it’s a strong opening. After a quick hello to the crowd, Jessie and her band launch into the superbly heart wrenching pop of recent single ‘Light Night’ followed by a slightly extended cut of summer smash ‘110%’; in which whole room begins to sway and sing along to remembering the time’s they heard this tune when the day’s were warmer and brighter.
In her between song banter, Jessie talks to the crowd like we’re her best mates, happily waving away at the crowd during songs, asking if her Mum got in ok and has a good spot and telling us about her trip to Rio Ferdinand’s restaurant and comes across as charming, humble and overall adorable. Tonight we get 10 of 11 tracks from her debut album, that displays just how wonderfully dynamic and diverse it is; from the slinky, sexy grooves of ‘Sweet Talk’ to the uplifting and huge pop tones of ‘Wildest Moment’s’, Jessie has us in the palm of her hand and even drop’s in a cover or two including a stunning rendition of Jazz standard ‘What You Won’t Do For Love’. And closing on the classic soul romp that is ‘Running’, Jessie leaves the stage leaving the whole room even more in love with her than before; a genuine talented artist with a heart of gold. Watch. Out. World.
I joined the Silent Radio family near the very start of my move to Manchester in 2012 and I'm still having the best time! During my stay here I've been in two noisy bands, had a not so noisy solo project, made a zine, started a blog and started a radio show. It's been productive to say the least and it's all been intersperse with a shit load of gig going and beer drinking. I would love it if you followed me on twitter @dr_brainless for excitable tweets about playing, watching and living new music.
