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Jess Glynne at Newmarket

Jess Glynne, is one of the hottest property’s in the UK right now. Visually striking, vocally outstanding, since her debut with Clean Bandit and the smash hit Rather Be, her star has been in the ascendant.  In the run up to her forthcoming Take Me Home winter UK  arena tour, she took command of the stage at Newmarket Nights to a sell-out crowd of 22,000 people.

Hitting the stage in a white, slashed to the thigh star encrusted suit and gazing out at her audience, over round Lennon style glasses with that stunning red hair  she kicked off her set with Don’t be Hard on Yourself  from her album I Cry When I Laugh, followed by Rather Be and It Ain’t Right.  

Jess hits you straight between the eyes and leaves you in no doubt she can deliver the goods! Truthfully, she completely blows it out of the ball park with the strength of her vocal performance, which is equally matched by an amazingly tight 9 piece backing band, complete with slick horn section, and two backing  vocalists/dancers. Yes, it is her show and these are her crew but there is no ego on her part, they are a pack that performs as one and all this to power housing back beat!  Prowling the stage one minute, dance routines the next and plenty of laughter, especially on Jess’s part… at one point with her back to the audience Jess was left trying desperately to compose herself, when a fit of laughter got the better of her; see images below…

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Back under control she continued to belt out song after song effortlessly, including covers of When Tears Dry on Their Own (Amy Winehouse tribute) Finally (CeCe Peniston)  and  I Feel For you (Prince). Of course there was always going to be the one song that would steal the show and it did; the highly evocative Take me Home (last year’s official Children in Need song). Asking the crowd to sing with her and letting them take the lead on the chorus, there is just something about this song and the lyrics that seems to touch everyone, including me.  

Returning to round the evening off with an encore of Hold My Hand and Right Here Jess left everyone wanting more. Given that 2015 was a tough year for her, having overworked her voice, then being forced to rest and undergo surgery on her vocal chords, a year on she is stronger, better than ever and loving it!

So does Jess Glynne live up to hype? Absolutely! A polished performer, with a voice that in my opinion is even better live…. She has grown in stage presence too;  looking everything from 1950’s Hollywood vamp, vixen and moody, to down to earth girl having a great time, partying and a laugh, to someone who’s a little bit naughty and street.  As someone in the audience said to me “I think I’m a little in love with her”. My reply “Who isn’t?”  …

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