Jessie Ware’s sophisticated pop vocals and subtle 80s funk that swept throughout the Manchester Academy on Sunday, embodied the moody romance that defines her latest Album Tough Love.
Draped in a floor length black chiffon blouse, adding to the South Londoner’s effortlessly majestic stage presence, black jeans and ankle boots – Jessie’s ambitious 19 track set list hypnotised the crowd into an all singing all two stepping, electro-soul vibe.
Kicking off with debut single Running, released from her 2012 album Devotion, Ware enticed her crowd with a breathy, sensual performance accompanied with airy guitars and deep snares.
The 30-year-old singer songwriter married her childhood sweetheart, Sam Burrows, last August in Greece and dedicated the track Sweetest Song to her beau.
During her performance to the sold out Academy crowd, you catch glimpses of a blushing bride still swept up in a post-wedding high as she recites the lyrics ‘I could hear your song forever… You’re the sweetest, sweetest one.’
As well as getting hitched in the summer, Jessie has bagged herself a Brit Award nomination, is featuring on the soundtrack of the film adaptation of Fifty Shades of Gray and has crossed the pond to work with American RnB star Miguel on her track Kind of… Sometimes… Maybe.
As the night progressed, it was clear that the sultry songstress felt relaxed in front of the Manchester crowd.
Her impromptu, potty mouthed banter with fans proved that she was one of the girls – even if she wryly made fun out of the audience’s lack of participation during The Way We Are – demanding them to ‘fucking buy the deluxe album’.
Stand out tracks of the night included Keep on Lying, where listeners were submerged in Jessie’s haunting, delicate operatic vocals.
The instantly recognisably bell like synths in Wildest Moments and the gospel inspired vocals in Say You Love M, a track co-written by Ed Sheeran, brought the night to a dramatic and fulfilled end.
It’s no surprise that Jessie’s naturally soulful sound has caught the attention of Kid Harpoon, Julio Bashmore, SBTRKT, Benzel and more. Her Sade-esque tone and effortlessly chic demeanour has cemented her as one of the UK’s pioneering female acts.
Image courtesy NRK P3, with thanks.
