No curls, just straight and smooth
Jess Glynne Brixton Academy ★★★★
Two years ago, almost nobody knew who Jess Glynne was but in pop music two years is a lifetime. The singer’s cool, arresting voice first demanded attention when Glynne provided guest vocals on tracks by Clean Bandit and Route 94 back in 2014. Since then, she’s released a number one album, 2015’s I Cry
When I Laugh, and has had five number one singles. At this week’s Brit Awards, she’s nominated for both Best Newcomer and Best British Female Soloist: a tribute to how quickly her star has risen.
To more casual fans – those who simply know her as the girl with the striking red hair and nice voice who did the BBC Children in Need single last year – Glynne’s rapid ascent might be hard to account for. Live, however, it’s clear why her fans adore her.
The singer isn’t the most outwardly energetic performer: during the biggest date of her current UK tour she was mostly content to let her voice – chilled and smooth, but with a strong, soulful sincerity – work its magic. On the whole, though, this was more than enough.
Perhaps the best moment of the night was Take Me Home (the Children in Need single): even in the packed, sweaty venue, Glynne’s powerful tones and raw, but always melodious, vulnerability created an awed stillness.The uplifting, earworm hook of Real Love (another Clean Bandit collaboration) and an emotional Why Me – which left Glynne herself a bit teary – were also enthusiastically received.
In terms of stage presence, the singer seemed likeable and down to earth; quietly confident, rather than cocky. At one point, she bemoaned the fact that her famously curly hair – worn straight on the night – was frizzing in the humidity, and received cheers from similarly frustrated fans. It might have seemed like a throwaway comment, but Glynne’s accessibility – and the fact that she’s not a preened, polished superstar – are key to her appeal.
Covers provided some variety: her version of Amy Winehouse’s Tears
Dry on Their Own, in particular, felt impassioned, fresh and sincere. Overall, however, the material felt a bit limited: both the set and Glynne’s debut album could have done with a few more stand-out songs. But this shouldn’t be a problem for long: in a few years, with a few more releases under her belt, Glynne will be selling out even bigger venues with ease.