Review: Jess Glynne at top of her game at Ricoh

Thousands packed inside Coventry's Jaguar Hall at the Ricoh Arena on Friday to see Jess Glynne take them on a journey of dance pop anthems.
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson

Singer songwriter Glynne released her debut album, I Cry When I Laugh, last year.

She rose to prominence in 2014 featuring on the Clean Bandits single Rather Be and Route 94’s My Love before going on to release her debut single the same year.

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Since then, Glynne has gone onto dominate the UK charts and perform across the world.

Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson

She’s appeared on the likes of The Voice, The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing, at MTV Awards shows and more recently at February’s Brit Awards at which she was nominated in four categories.

Opening proceedings at the Ricoh were dance pop duo EKKAH.

Flanked by backing musicians, Rebecca Wilson and Rebekah Pennington took the Coventry crowd through funk-influenced pop which included tracks from their Last Chance To Dance EP and recent single Small Talk.

As the lights dimmed ahead of Glynne’s arrival, the Ricoh stage was bathed in pink light which glistened off the silver backdrop to the stage and around the area.

Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
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Glynne’s backing band stood silhouetted until the singer arrived, walking down small flight of stairs to the stage.

After the short intro track, Glynne and her band launched into set opener Ain’t Got Far To Go and into one of her biggest hits, Real Love.

This was immediately followed by another Clean Bandit hit - the dance floor (and gym) favourite Rather Be.

It was a ballsy move by Glynne to play both hit songs so early on in her set, but from the second she walked on stage it was clear the singer was brimming with confidence with the 3,500 fans in their element.

Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
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Glynne confidently strode around the Ricoh stage and regularly paused between songs to speak to her crowd.

The singer performed with her distinctive red hair in tight plaits and tied at the top of her head and wore an equally distinguishing sleeveless tailored black and white jacket.

While the majority of Glynne’s set had the upbeat dance pace she’s become known for, the singer performed a stripped back version of My Love, sat on the drum rise flanked by her backing singers.

This was followed by an excellent cover of Amy Whitehouse’s Tears Dry On Their Own.

Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
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From there, Glynne powered through the final few songs of her set finishing with her chart topping single Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself before returning for an encore of Right Here and Hold My Hand.

For the finale, she was joined by young fans on stage who could occasionally be heard helping her on vocals.

Despite being only one album into her career, Glynne is a singer on top of her game and on Friday performed in front of a fans of all ages who adored her every move.

Her powerful voice showed no signs of being affected by a chest infection which resulted in the following night’s show in Leeds being cancelled.

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Illness aside, Glynne is almost certain to build on the success of her night at the Ricoh with more headline shows and festival appearances this summer.

Jess Glynne played:

Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David JacksonJess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson
Jess Glynne, Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Picture: David Jackson

Strawberry Fields - Intro

Ain’t Got Far To Go

Real Love

Rather Be

Home

Love Me

Gave Me Something

Not Letting Go

It Ain’t Right

Why Me

Bad Blood

My Love

Tears Dry On Their Own

Take me Home

You Can Find Me

No Rights, No Wrongs

Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself

Encore:

Right Here

Hold My Hand

* Pictures by David Jackson

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