Live: Jessie J @ Apollo
The ‘Do It Like a Dude’ star dazzles a sold out Apollo.
Jessie J
Apollo
21st October
5 stars
Jessie J has blown up over the past 12 months, with chart success across Europe, even so far as breaking the States. Opting to play in medium-sized theatre venues, it is apparent that these will most probably be the smallest venues she will be performing in for a long time.
It is clear that this is a much anticipated sold out show. The larger stage at the O2 Manchester Apollo in comparison to other venues on the tour allows the full stage set to be constructed and Jessie J uses this to full effect, opening with ‘Big White Room’, sitting in a statuesque pose on a chair with a rotating red velvet stage, her voice is already the focus of the show.
Incorporating a pleasant remix of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ into crowd favourite ‘Stand Up’ gets the balcony up on their feet. A solid performer with positive stage presence, Jessie J knows how to belt out a tune. ‘Nobody’s Perfect’, ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘I Need This’ are performed with an energised sound, much due to her impressive live band. Before entering into current single and title track ‘Who You Are’, Jessie J explains her eyebrow-raising choice of outfit, donning a purple bodysuit to show her support for the LBGT community before pouring out her emotions into a beautifully version of the song.
Continuing into the encore with debut chart hit ‘Do It Like A Dude’ and her most successful single Price Tag’, the crowd are still fully attentive. Ending with the vocally powered ‘Domino’, Jessie J leaves the audience roaring with a much deserved standing ovation. Everyone is more than satisfied with such an impressive vocal and visual performance from one of the UK’s biggest stars. No doubt Jessie J will be selling out arenas across the country next time round.
More Coverage
“The album couldn’t be more us if we tried”: fast-rising indie rock band Keo on authenticity, vulnerability, and recording their debut album
The frontman of the summer’s most inescapable band discusses his lyricism and upcoming debut album ‘Put A Smile On For Me’
“If everything’s heavy the whole time, then nothing’s heavy”: Meet Gurriers, Mel C’s favourite Irish noise-rockers
Ahead of the release of second album Nobody’s Coming To Save You, the Dublin five-piece talk Irish music, playing gigs in Manchester skateparks and how they found out The Spice Girls’ Mel C is a secret fan
Live review: Boomtown presents its fifth chapter, Radical Redesign
Boomtown Fair 2026 was the festival’s biggest iteration yet as it successfully diversified and grew into new genres while still keeping a space for its bass music roots
Album review: beabadoobee’s ‘Pylon’ flickers with sparks of unfulfilled potential
The London alt-rock sensation returns with a sixth album that sees her trying out a new nineties-inspired direction, but falls frustratingly short







