Photo: iTunes Festival, London 2014
As her band slowly build into the sexy pulsating groove of 'Running', Brixton's very own Jessie Ware strolls relaxedly onstage via a monochrome digital countdown.
Wearing a floaty sheer panelled shirt dipping down her back like a cape, she accessorises with a glossy slicked back ponytail that displays those model-sharp, shimmering cheekbones to perfection. After saying some exuberant hello's, '100%'s Bashmore-produced fluttering house fills the air and she laughs afterwards catching the eye of one member of the crowd telling him "Mate, you look so awkward!", mimicking his dance moves like your bestest ballsy pal would.
Launching into first single from new album 'Tough Love', the audience already know it word-for-word, and sing a-long to Ware's breathy, delicate lyricism. A serious ode to difficulty in love is made even more poignant knowing her husband is in the audience. "This is for you Bash" she yells to Julio Bashmore somewhere up in the rafters as she launches into another new track 'Keep On Lying', evoking some definite Culture Club vibes on the way; 'If this isn't love/Then I don't wanna kno-owww' as well as boasting a hook that will root itself firmly into your jingle-loving brain.
Afterwards, she grins and addresses the trendy crowd's eel-like moves with glee and a trimphant, "YES! That's what I wanted from this song!". Chatting to the crowd proudly about her recent marriage, a group of lads boo and she fires back defensively with a bolshy "don't fucking boo!'' before introducing 'You and I Forever', which Ware explains as being about: "waiting a while for him to put a ring on it" - the track is a true hands-in-the-air moment and another touching ballad that shows off how engaging her vocal really is.
She then goes to sing the understatedly stunning 'Sweet Talk' before launching into the super-sultry Miguel collab, 'Kind of...Sometimes...Maybe', that proves to be a real hit with all present. Her guitarists have their own little head-bopping 80s moment while the audience enthusiastically bounce back to the seductive Prince-style beat. 'Pieces' is another new offering; a massive belter that already feels like a classic. Propelling straight into fan-favourite 'Wildest Moments', she victoriously punches the air in time with the hi-hat, engaging the audience with smiles and waves.
Her silky tone then crescendos into absolute diva territory with the 90s-esque 'Say You Love Me', a track she penned with Ed Sheeran, and her climbing vocal ability has everyone gazing in eye-watering awe. Managing to be both sophisticated and sensual, Ware's stunning blend of underground dance appeal, superhero vocals and quiet restrain continues to be an infectious mix that, last night, totally brought the house down.
