CARLY RAE JEPSEN // O2 ACADEMY, LEEDS
‘Fun night out with a Grammy Award winning Carly Rae Jepsoen is ‘So Nice’
★★★★☆ (4/5)
CARLY RAE JEPSEN
PICTURE BY: JOHN HAYHURST
Lets face it pop stars and particularly anyone connected with the ‘Idol’ franchise come and go like mayflies, and its really a test of endurance to see who is still around having anything like a hit single after their ‘difficult’ 2nd album hits the stores. Carly Rae Jepsen is very much a fighter though, and has seen through over ten years of releasing great albums after her massive global hit of ‘Call Me Maybe’ was launched. This ‘So Nice’ tour opens in England in Leeds and whilst it hasn’t totally sold out (there are still seats in the balcony) it is packed down at the front to witness a quality show from a true professional of the genre.
A massive 24 song setlist is crammed into 1 and a half hours and ‘Call Me Maybe’ is thrown in at song 8, not even reserved for the encore which would be the norm. She is a powerhouse of non-stop dance songs, never missing a beat or lyric and only having 1 main costume change in the set. There is little time for talking in-between the songs other than to introduce her band and the 2 backing singers. The crowd meanwhile are happy to scream out at her throughout the show.
What struck me most is that she is so much more than that 1 song, and it is surprising to find that for a casual fan I knew many more tracks which justified such a long setlist. Her latest album ‘The Loneliest Time’ has been on repeat since the show and demonstrates the range that Jepsen now commands, and needs to, if she is to continue to grow at this level for the next decade.
Carly Rae frequently spends time down with the crowd and is happy for a bit of interaction, hand holding and photos. Then switches to the stage at the top of the stairs when the confetti cannons burst out over the adoring crowd – several times.
The huge setlist was a clever mix of old and new whilst focussing on ‘The Loneliest Time’ with no less than 10 tracks played from it. ‘Talking to Yourself’ was a highlight along with the ridiculously catchy dance pop anthem ‘I Really Like You’ which sparked yet more confetti. A quieter moment with the emotionally charged ‘Go Find Yourself or Whatever’ with Jepsen deciding to take a seat which was the audience cue to put up their torchlights.
Then the encore with Jepsen playing another 3 hits ‘I didn’t just come here to dance’, title track of the album ‘The Loneliest Time’ and ‘Cut to the Feeling’ which ensured we all ended on another strong danceathon.
The confetti canons finally emptied we left with sweaty faces and a big smile on our faces, this was a proper dance party on a cold Tuesday night in Leeds. Carly Rae Jepsen is a pop star with a future that is as bright as the academy lights, catch her while you can.