More about: Carly Rae Jepsen

There was more than one tweet about Carly Rae Jepsen “curing depression” or “being prescribed on the NHS” following her joyous show last night at London’s Somerset House. It’s no wonder why: just three songs in and the crowd was treated to her anthemic single, 2015’s ‘Run Away With Me’. From the moment that saxophone riff rang out, like a call to arms for pop fanatics worldwide, endorphins were no longer optional. Euphoria was the only choice.

Over the course of her decade-strong career, the Canadian star has built a growing catalogue of fizzy, weightless pop songs that make your heart sing. Luckily for Jepsen, there is no better place to let these gems take off than in the courtyard of one of the capital’s best-loved culture venues, during a British midsummer heatwave. Fans were no longer used for fanning, instead being thworped to the beat. The orange and yellow stage lights gradually replaced the sun, as it sank behind the building. 

It helped that the show — one of several in the Somerset House Summer Series, the last in Jepsen’s European tour — was laced with many of the key hits. You could practically feel the audience bubbling like a pot on a stove during the pre-chorus of ‘Call Me Maybe’, as Jepsen high-fived those in the front row. ‘I Really Like You’ was another guaranteed crowd pleaser, as an earworm that has not relinquished any power over the past seven years.

However, it was the lesser-known bops that really whipped up a frenzy. “Who here has any boy problems?” Jepsen yelled into the sold-out crowd to a roaring response, before performing the disco-tinged ‘Boy Problems’. When it came to her performance of the camp-as-Christmas ‘Want You In My Room’, fans hollered “Ohhh with you, Hey!” with a level of joy that only pop music can excavate. Even softer songs like ‘Too Much’ and new single ‘Western Wind’ found their place. Arms were waved, and if it weren’t for the pastel blue summer sky keeping the night lit, lighters would have been in the air.

Every person there knew every single word to every single song, be it a big hit or album track. It’s a testament to the cult-like status that Jepsen has garnered over the years. There are those, the majority of the public, who know Jepsen for ‘Call Me Maybe’ alone — what dark lives they must lead — and there are those who devour every last sugary drop of her discography. It was clearly the latter crowd there last night.

In return, Jepsen afforded fans with one of the greatest joys possible when it comes to live music: she seemed equally as delighted to be there as they were. Buoyant and brimming with energy, Jepsen interacted with the crowd on several occasions, bouncing around the stage with her band. The atmosphere was electric. 

However, despite the hearty helping of pop magic, there were small tweaks that would have pushed the show towards complete perfection. Coming in at an hour on the dot, the show felt a little short. Jepsen played 16 songs, which is relatively standard, but adding fan favourites like ‘Your Type’ or ‘Real Love’ would have bumped it up a notch. Then at times, the backing instrumental felt a little overpowering, drowning Jepsen out a little. 

That said, Jepsen knows how to close out on a high. The encore, ‘Cut to the Feeling’, was a pure masterclass in pop ecstasy, showcasing just how impactful pop music is as a form of escapism. It was wonderful to witness. 

If pop star school exists, a Carly Rae Jepsen show should be module number one. Because if the Somerset House courtyard had a roof, Carly Rae Jepsen would have raised it.

See photos by Adam Taylor below:

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More about: Carly Rae Jepsen