‘Everybody Say JLS: The Hits’ tour hits Bournemouth
JLS returned to the BIC on 24 October and proved that even after 15 years in the business, they are still top performers with the Bournemouth leg of the UK tour a sell-out.
From the flash outfits, the staging and the set list, everything about these guys was truly brilliant and the night proved to be one big party for die-hard fans. The fans, many who’d now evolved from the original ‘teeny boppers’ into Mums and Dads, were still screaming throughout – dancing and singing along to all the well-known numbers.
JLS performed all their top hits such The Club Is Alive and Eyes Wide Shut as well as a few newer numbers such as “Eternal Love” which they dedicated to their fans.
A definite crowd pleasing moment was when two young women were selected by JLS from the audience, to sit on the stage and be serenaded by them, to the squeals of delight from their fans.
I also liked the way fans were left guessing, as In one part the band disappeared under the stage and we watched them on the VR walking through the staging, only to appear again in the middle of the stage to the roar of the crowd. Throughout the show, JLS engaged with their fans and gave them plenty of light-hearted banter. Good use was made of the large screens behind them using interactive videos and special effects to enhance the performance.
JLS were supported by Tinchy Stryder who knew how to get the party started and roused the audience crazy with lots of interaction as he performed his big hits including You’re not Alone and Spaceship Tinchy shows tonight that he can rap and that he is an engaging live performer.
But not to be missed was ‘Shab’, who opened the evening. I was impressed from the start as a solo guitarist was alone playing on stage and then suddenly the beat dropped and Shab appeared with her 2 backing dancers. I could definitely hear the tones of Latin America and could imagine her music being played as an anthem across clubs in worldwide.
Shab also spoke with conviction about her music and gave the audience a really engaging performance with plenty of interaction with her dancers. It was an empowering experience for some members of the audience; In one song called ‘Pull It Up’ she told all the women in the audience that this was dedicated to them saying: “As women, we’re just so tired of mediocre love, we want the real love, so gentlemen I need you to step it up and pull it up.”
I liked the sound of her soft voice against the catchy club beats, definitely a very talented singer/songwriter. I heard people around me commenting on how much they enjoyed her performance. She definitely went down a storm and is definitely one to watch out for.
Reviewed by Charlotte Harris