Jessie J – Newcastle O2 Academy

FROM the moment she bounded onto the 02 Academy stage, all legs and attitude, the towering inferno that is Jessie J managed to set the night on fire once again, having had to cancel her previous gig due to a throat infection.

The trademark skyscraper pins and killer heels were played down this time around, as Jessie emerged sporting a transparent black t-shirt bearing a touching tribute to the city, revealing a pair of illuminous, waist-high pants more worthy of Bridget J, topped off by patent ankle boots, an image that only our Jess could carry off and still manage to look smoulderingly hot.

A law onto herself, Jessie was clearly back with a Bang Bang as she launched into her classics such as Domino, and the very apt Sexy Lady, instantly whipping the crowd into a frenzy, whilst teasingly saving Price Tag for the encore. She made full use of the stage, prancing and pogoing from one side to the other, and interacting cleverly with the crowd both collectively and individually, as she disappeared from view at one point to sing with a young fan at the front of the stage. Her stage presence was mesmerising as she shook Bridget’s stuff convulsively to the earlier favourite Do it Like a Dude, as well as showcasing her new album Sweet Talker, the title track going down a storm with the crowd, the feverish Burning Up which she revealed was one of her favourites, however I felt that Masterpiece lived up to its name, summing up the album in one grand swansong.

Jessie is both a legend and everybody’s friend, a sassy chick with a lot to say for herself, proving it’s not about the money, everyone in the room was paying with love last night.

Linda Jobling