Attending concerts has been my way of recharging my batteries and regaining mental strength. Seeing your favorite artists live has a way of healing whatever has been weighing you down, and it allows you to live in a much-needed moment of pure happiness and joy. And that’s exactly the kind of escape Jessie J creates in real time.
If you know her, you already know that we signed up for a night of entertainment. Before we could even see her, we heard the first lines of FEEL IT ON ME and suddenly, she appeared on a balcony up high, and made a grand entrance that left us all speechless. There is something about her presence that lights up something inside of you, a rush of warmth, that makes you instantly feel like you belong.
But this show wasn’t like any other I have ever witnessed. She didn’t just strip her songs down, she took them apart, owned every note and meant every word. The woman can hit notes that reach beyond the stars and you have no choice but to let it in and let it heal you from within. Only those with a rare gift like hers are capable of that kind of impact.
The setlist was a mix of old hits that raised us and new masterpieces from her latest album Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time which, according to her, is her favorite body of work she’s ever written. No matter what you’re going through, you’ll find the soundtrack to your life or even just a chapter when you press play on it. Hearing some of these songs live for the first time, sung with so much emotion and meaning, you can feel the depth and vulnerability in every bone of your body. Only Jessie J can do that to you and I think we can all agree that she doesn’t get enough credit or flowers for that.
The lyrics of songs like Who You Are or Masterpiece will never lose meaning and even Price Tag will always be a crowd favorite. One of my personal favorites is Queen, which is still very much underrated in my opinion, but has such a beautiful self-loving message behind it. It not only makes Jessie feel strong when she sings it, but it also lifts up anyone who needs to be reminded of their own strength.
Personally, I couldn’t wait for I’LL NEVER KNOW WHY to help fill the hole that loss has left behind. Knowing what it means to Jess and connecting it to our own stories – hearing every emotion behind this song live – truly left a healing footprint on our hearts. We needed that.
Her music carries important reminders, messages we needed to hear and the truth we might have not seen otherwise. We can be so caught up in situations or relationships that we don’t always realize the repetitive pattern or faults in our judgment. But when you hear every word of IF I SAVE YOU right in front of you, you go: Wow, how did I not see that before? It’s so different when you listen to songs through your phone or in the car and then having the artist look straight at you and make you understand every single lyric. Thanks Jess!
I could take the setlist apart and tell you about the effect each song had, but unless you were there in person you can’t possibly understand the joy we felt, the comfort it brought and the way Jessie made us feel seen, heard and less alone. She always wants you to be in the moment, to enjoy the music and to take whatever you need from the show. Some needed a good cry, some might have needed closure or a push into their healing journeys. I can guarantee you that not one person left the building that night, feeling anything less than grateful and blessed. She did that.
Jessie’s vocals are out of this world, her aura is bright and her stories and sense of humor made us laugh out loud. Making jokes and being sarcastic might be her coping mechanism and a way of lightening up a shitty situation, but it’s also a superpower that has impacted more lives than she’ll ever realize and cleared the dark clouds that were dimming our happiness. Some might claim her comedy is better than her singing, but those people just haven’t been around long enough to enjoy the power of both coexisting beautifully. It’s all a part of what makes her so unique, isn’t it?
I’ve been a fan of Jessie’s since 2011, I grew up with her music, and she’s always been able to light up my days. With her, you always get the full package. There’s a reason why I chose to feature her twice so far, first in 2022 and then in 2025, trying my best to put her impact and excellence into words. It’s not easy to explain because it runs deep, but it’s necessary to present a narrative that tells you exactly who she is to those who matter most.
Too often, her brilliance and kindness are overlooked by tabloids and trolls who don’t see what we see: a talented and kind woman who, despite the sickness, loss and judgement she’s overcome, is still standing and going strong. She really doesn’t get enough praise for all the greatness her presence has brought to the industry and beyond. So apart from writing two featured articles already, I had a special mission to fulfill at the show I was attending on the No Secrets Tour.
I wrote a poem, using some of her song titles, a bit of humor and lots of sentiment. I wanted it to be a special way to remind her of how loved she is, to share my gratitude and showcase an empowering narrative we can stand behind. And guess what? Not only did she let me read it to her out loud, but it was received exactly how I hoped it would be. When you get people to clap, giggle and react positively over something so heartfelt, you know you did everything right. The mic might have been in my hand, but the spotlight was shining bright on Jessie, and rightfully so. I still can’t believe I did that.
When I look back on that day, I feel genuinely grateful and proud. Getting to see one of my favorite artists in concert again, surrounded by such amazing individuals who share the same love for her while making memories as a collective, is something we will cherish and hold deep in our hearts forever. We truly were living our best lives, weren’t we? And you best believe that we will be reuniting at more shows in the future, singing our precious hearts out and showing up for a woman that has changed our lives for the better.
You can’t put a price tag on true happiness, but you can buy that ticket and watch it be worth every penny you spent on it and every single hour you queued for. If you ever get the chance to go see Jessie J in the flesh, don’t hesitate for a second. She not only takes you through different eras of her life, sharing personal stories and feelings, but she truly holds the power to turn pain into light and one night into a lifelong memory we will talk about for decades to come.
ROARA Magazine 