Transitioning from a successful global girl group to making it on your own isn’t always an easy feat, but Jade Thirlwall is proving she’s more than ready for the challenge. The former Little Mix star has been conquering the charts and receiving critical acclaim for her debut solo project, THAT’S SHOWBIZ BABY!.
As she embarked on her first solo headline tour, we headed to Cologne, Germany to catch Jade in action and witness a masterclass in pop perfection.
Arriving at the venue, fans were already queuing down the street, decked out in their finest outfits including homages to her music videos, Little Mix tees and creatively curated looks to mirror Jade’s signature style.
Marking her first performance in Germany as a solo artist, the show was a sold-out affair with her devoted fans who have eagerly awaited her return to Europe.
As a theatrical overture sounded through the speakers and the lights dimmed, the atmosphere was electric. From behind a red velvet curtain Jade’s hand reached out as she launched into her hit single FUFN, prompting an eruption of cheers from the crowd, ready to watch on in awe. Jade opened the show in a glittering rose-adorned bodysuit before transitioning into a shimmering silver coat for a trio of album highlights.
Throughout the hour-and-a-half set, she dazzles the audience with dynamic choreography and pitch perfect vocals. Visually, the show was just as striking as it was sonically impressive. The wardrobe changes helped shape the emotional arc of the set, complemented by a bold and dazzling makeup look – glittering pink and violet eye looks adorned with rhinestones that caught the light just as dramatically as the costumes themselves.
Her passion and dedication to being a self proclaimed pop girly is evident in the performance and spectacle she has carefully crafted. Each track on the album is given its own moment to shine from the sultry tones of Fantasy to theatrical drama of Natural at Disaster, performed in a striking crimson corseted gown that fully embraced the theatrical aesthetic of the show.
Along the way, Jade reflects on her experience within the music industry, both celebrating and critiquing them while sharing how vulnerability played a key role in making the record feel more authentic. Right before my personal favorite song Self Saboteur, she spoke about how the community she’s built has become a safe space – not just for her fans to be their most authentic selves, but for her as well – emphasizing that the love and support they share is deeply mutual.
Her Northern British humour also shines through in her interactions with the crowd, whose love and adoration is undeniable. A fan-led project sees signs thanking Jade for being an LGBTQ+ ally of which she embraces, cheekily remarking that ‘if there’s one thing you’ll find at a Jade concert is that the Grindr is popping off’.
As we reach towards the finale, the crowd is firmly in the palm of her hands. She treats us to a 15-minute medley featuring fan favourite Wasabi, the seductive Midnight Cowboy, her dance collaboration gossip and the infectious IT Girl.
After the classic ‘fake out’ end of the show, and the crowd chanting her name loudly, the glitter ball lowers, as Jade reappears on the balcony above delivering a beautiful rendition of Silent Disco.
After giving it her all and more, the show concludes with the one we’ve all been waiting for Angel of My Dreams. Conducting the crowd through an acapella singalong before the full melody burst into life, Jade delivers one final powerhouse vocal performance to bring an unforgettable night to a close. The visual of the angel wings and arrows that were added to the front of the outfit, creating the illusion she had been pierced through the chest, perfectly mirrored the melodrama and larger-than-life storytelling at the heart of the album.
The night didn’t quite end when the final notes faded inside the venue. Before heading off to the official aftershow party, Jade made an appearance outside to greet the fans who had gathered near the stage door. Taking time to sign albums, photos and various memorabilia, she also posed for group photos with fans who had travelled from all over to see her perform. Seeing her in the flash of cameras and phone lights felt almost surreal, a quieter moment of connection after the theatrical spectacle of the show itself.
With this tour, Miss Jade Thirlwall has proven herself as an artist in her own right, marking the arrival of a true superstar. If you haven’t had a chance to witness Jade in person, we encourage you to buy that ticket.
Long may her reign as a pop girly continue.
ROARA Magazine 