As I finally enter the pit area to ready myself for the main event I look at the stage set which is dominated by a massive backdrop of shimmering silver, and place mats for around six band members. I also notice two mics for backing singers. The roar of the crowd signals the entry of band members and a song that I do not recognise. Within a few more seconds the star appears by the rear drum set and I hear the first live notes from Jess Glynne. This first skirmish was effectively a short intro before Glynne arrived at stage-front to perform a couple of songs from her latest album. In vertigo high heels and short, white smock Glynne was immediately into her stride like a well rehearsed diva. Flanking her are sych-moving backing singers also of convincing talent.

Close-up, the flame-haired Glynne has an original and very attractive look. Vocally her voice is powerful, distinctive and blues/soul flavoured. She then tells us that she’s taking us to the beginning and I suspect her first recorded songs before returning to her latest acclaimed work with ‘It Ain’t Right’, ‘Why Me’ and ‘Love Me’ with the audience now well warmed up and joining in big time. Her band and backing singers really added depth and excitement to Glynne’s performance but I also gained the impression that she could have performed well without them.

In an hour and twenty odd minutes Glynne convinced that she has a special vocal talent and especially with superb rendition of the heartbreaking ‘Take Me Home’. However, it also struck me that with this extraordinary level of audience respect and support Glynne could have taken a few risks, endearing them even more. For example, sat on the edge of the stage and performed acapella a song nobody has heard (maybe a David Bowie or BB King song). Or popped down to the pit and shaken a few front row hands…

You see this was a perfected, well rehearsed show of frankly very safe songs albeit there was a nice version of a Winehouse song. Glynne really has it all and finished the show on a high with two very popular songs - ‘Right Here’ and ‘Hold My Hand’. But I just felt that she has much more to give especially in her song-writing - to perhaps give more of herself rather than concentrate on chart collaborations and BBC Radio 1 material. Winehouse did it and I believe Glynne can too in a way that Yankee-voiced Adele cannot. What I’m saying here is that Glynne is very good but not yet great. That said, it’s still early days and I hope she develops the balls that made her walk away from the X Factor a few years back. With that voice she can do anything…

SETLIST

Strawbery Fields (Intro)
Ain’t Got Far to Go
Real Love
(Clean Bandit cover)
Rather Be
(Clean Bandit cover)
Gave Me Something
Not Letting Go
Bad Blood
Home
It Ain’t Right
Why Me
Love Me
My Love
Take Me Home
Tears Dry on Their Own
(Amy Winehouse cover)
You Can Find Me
No Rights No Wrongs
Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself
Encore:
Right Here
Hold My Hand

http://jessglynne.co.uk

Biography and 2016 Tour Details:

http://www.shakenstir.co.uk/index.php/features/jess-glynne-biography-tour/features/31565/