Amy Bellchambers
12th November
As a former Sussex student, this gig was effectively a homecoming gig Jessie Ware and she seemed to enjoy it.
The Mercury Prize nominee clearly has confidence yet manages to avoid crossing the over-confidence barrier, which is rare in the industry she has so recently broken into. Between current Radio One favourite ‘Night Light’ and other heartfelt tracks on her debut album, Devotion (‘Running’, ‘Wildest Moments’) Jessie made conversation. She asked the audience which halls people lived in (she personally lived in Lewes Court Phase 2) and replied, much amused, to a fan’s request via Twitter; “Sort your punters out Jessie, we’re surrounded by grinding couples!”.
She is undoubtedly a talented vocalist, but also comes across as down to earth and humble. Ware doesn’t need a dramatic light display or a statement, high fashion look: just her band, a microphone and her powerful yet subtle lyrics.
Like most artists starting out in the intimacy of the Concorde2, Jessie Ware is unquestionably set to headline one of the city’s larger venues next time round.
