WORDS AND IMAGES GOSIA CZYZNIEWSKA
Jess Glynne lit up The Piece Hall in Halifax last night with a powerful 90-minute performance that left the crowd buzzing, despite the absence of an encore.
The show kicked off with an electrifying display of pyrotechnics, setting the tone for the night. After the opening three songs it was clear from the outset that Jess was ready to make a statement. Addressing the audience, she acknowledged the current troubles in the UK, but reassured everyone, “No matter your nationality, religion, or gender, you are ALL welcome here!”
The familiar opening chords of “123” had the crowd immediately engaged, but it was “Don’t Be So Hard on Yourself” that truly got everyone singing along. Jess’s vocals soared, and the audience’s energy was palpable.
In a heartfelt moment before “Do You Know About Love,” Jess reflected on the importance of appreciating the good people in our lives. The crowd was moved, singing along as she shared, “If you have good people in your life, you are very lucky, and I feel like some people got to learn to appreciate that.”
“Thursday” brought a powerful message of self-acceptance. Jess asked the ladies in the crowd if they ever felt the need to wear makeup to feel pretty, assuring them that they were “good enough” just as they are. With backing singers sitting relaxed on the stage, it felt like a genuine self-appreciation anthem, especially when the crowd belted out, “Don’t change for ANYONE.”
During “Enough,” Jess playfully engaged with the crowd, shouting “odie odie odie oy oy oy” and praising The Piece Hall as a “beautiful venue.” The backing singers had their moment to shine, adding depth to the already dynamic performance and the energy never waned. “I wanna see your hands in the air!” Jess demanded, keeping the crowd on their feet.
“Summer’s Back” and “Right Here” followed, both delivered with the kind of vibrant energy that Jess Glynne is known for. keeping the momentum going, leading into the emotional “Save Your Tears.” Jess noted the special atmosphere of the night, saying, “Tonight feels special, something in the air. Definitely not the rain though.” The crowd connected with the sentiment, especially when Jess dedicated the song to all the best friends who’ve saved us from falling.
“Take Me Home” was a standout moment of the night, with Jess inviting a young girl named Tallulah on stage. In a touching exchange, Tallulah sang a verse on her own before taking turns with Jess, who declared, “Much better rendition than mine!”
As the night progressed, “Easy,” “Friend of Mine,” and the infectious “Rather Be” kept the energy levels high. Jess remarked on the rain-soaked stage, joking, “Right, just so you know it’s still raining cuz I am SLIPPING!” Her connection with the crowd was undeniable, feeding off their energy and declaring, “I swear to god, I’m not just saying it, this was a very special show, it was different, they don’t always feel like this I promise you.”
The show culminated in the crowd-pleaser “Hold My Hand,” with confetti canons exploding and the audience going wild. Jess wrapped up the night by shouting, “I LOVE YOU!” leaving the crowd on a high.
Jess’s vocal performance was outstanding and the hits plentiful, and it was a night of powerful music, heartfelt moments, and an undeniable connection between Jess Glynne and her fans. Btrilliant!!
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