JESSIE WARE
O2 Academy, Bristol | March 12th
In a 12-month period where Jessie Ware has been referred to as “the future” more times than the rapper who actually calls himself Future, the pressure and sense of expectation surrounding this bundle of sold out dates was impossible to ignore.
When it gets to 9.15 and the lights dim, Ware struts on stage wearing a dress previously sighted on her collection of a South Bank award earlier in the day. The celebration of Ware’s talents has in no way dwindled since her debut album release last August, and the songstress makes a point of stating “I’m going to celebrate tonight.” Bristol is happy to comply, as they bear witness to the continuous rise of what could be a driving focal point in pop from quite some time.
Album cuts such as Devotion and Still Love Me were instantly met with roars of familiarity. Ware’s effortlessly hypnotising vocal isn’t showcased through Aguilera-esque ad-libs, rather through simply owning each song. The front of the crowd was packed with adoring girls tirelessly singing along to every word. As the show went on, with Jessie paying her dues to Julio Bashmore in his hometown, her role in the landscape of modern commercial music became clear. Tracks like If You’re Never Gonna Move and Sweet Talk integrate sounds, tones and production values associated with cutting-edge underground music and embeds them into radio-ready melodies, alienating no-one yet jeopardising not an iota of credibility. It’s still airtight dance music with flowing beats and slick unconfined breaks, but the choruses, hooks and songwriting are iconic and mature.
When Ware performs lead single Wildest Moments, a streak of similarity to R Kelly’s track of similar themes becomes evident, just like Night Light bears a likeness to Prince (circa Lovesexy). There’s a sense of a pop connoisseur showcasing how such tropes can still work. It was just a week or so ago that the Guardian hailed the PMR label (home to Jessie, Bashmore, Two Inch Punch and Javeon McCarthy) as a totem for a modern pop music revolution. If PMR is the kingdom to herald the change, this night was a parade for its queen.
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Words: Duncan Harrison
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