The sky’s the limit for our West End girl Channy
IT’S a venue where she’s watched many of her own idols and on Monday, a Newcastle singer proved exactly why she’s an inspiration to many young performers by becoming the first unsigned act to headline Metro Radio Arena.
Over the past few years, Channy has raised the bar for herself after each of her headline gigs, with her path from the Hyena comedy club taking her to the O2 Academy main stage and then all the way to the arena.
After the audience were treated to slots from a host of performers including main support acts Jessie D, Mackenzie Sol, Melody 5 and Britain’s Got Talent star Jamie Lee Harrison, it was time for Channy to take to the stage. The Unstoppable concert was a journey of Channy’s life and career to date with her youth brought to life by pocket rocket Brooke Burke, with the Voice Kids contestant lighting up the stage with her powerful vocals.
The night’s leading lady entered to the strains of Jess Glynne’s Hold My Hand, a song that has become her calling card since she first performed it three years ago.
Much like Jess herself, Channy has big hair and an even bigger voice that needs little introduction and her vocal talent had plenty of opportunities to shine over the course of the 90-minute pyrotechnic and confetti spectacular.
Covers of the likes of Ellie Goulding’s Love Me Like You Do, Rachel Platten’s
Stand By You and Steps’ Better The Devil You Know, showed off both Channy’s vocal capability and versatility, but for me the two standout moments were when the proud Geordie lass performed two of her originals.
Tears was a real pin-drop moment and her soon-to-be-released debut single Be Who You Are makes an instant impact, with poignant lyrics and a massively uplifting chorus.
Another highlight was Simply The Best, which Channy dedicated to one of her biggest supporters and inspirations, her late nana, who I’m sure would be immensely proud of her.
Throughout the course of the concert, Channy spoke about her continuing support to North East youngsters, both through her involvement with charity NE Youth and giving up-andcoming music and dance talent the chance to perform with her.
Stand By You saw young dancers perform with real poise and confidence, while a Greatest Showman medley brought together a host of young singers to join Channy on A Million Dreams, This Is Me and From Now On.
Just like the original, Channy’s take on All I Want for Christmas was a real festive treat while final track Fix You, was the perfect note to end on, encapsulating the spirit of both the evening and its star.
Channy is a singer who has worked hard for every opportunity that has come her way so far, and on the basis of her headline arena show, there should be plenty more shows to come.