SHE’S BACK! JESSIE J AT UNION CHAPEL – A MASTERCLASS IN EMOTION, VOCALS AND CONNECTION

LIVE REVIEW | JESSIE J | UNION CHAPEL, LONDON 20th May 2025 by Kevin O’Sullivan

Returning to the stage in one of London’s most atmospheric venues, Jessie J transformed Union Chapel into an intimate, emotionally charged celebration of music, vulnerability, and joy. The acoustic evening—part concert, part confessional—showcased not just her world-class vocal talent but her genuine connection with fans, her storytelling, and her ability to turn a live set into a communal experience.

Jessie set the tone from the very first moment, walking through the aisles of the chapel as she sang, dissolving the traditional boundaries between performer and audience. It was a powerful, symbolic gesture—this was not a show for the audience, but with them.

The setlist spanned Jessie J’s career, blending hits with newer, deeply personal material such as ‘No Secrets‘ and ‘Sunflower‘. The latter was written for her son, whom she described as “the happiest boy in the world—unless he hasn’t had enough snacks.” ‘Sunflower’ was both musically rich and deeply touching, clearly a family favourite, with Jessie sharing that her son often conducts family sing-alongs of the track at home.

A standout moment came when audience member and aspiring Geordie artist Katie Cowie (@katiecowiemusic) asked to sing with her. In a spontaneous gesture, Jessie invited her onstage for an impromptu duet that brought the house down. Katie—who had paid £270 for her ticket on Viagogo—rose to the moment, delivering a vocal performance that earned a standing ovation.

But what truly elevated the evening was the space Jessie created for laughter and sincerity. Her between-song banter—referencing everything from the movement of “crab-like” pew-shufflers en route to the toilets, to her favourite chocolate (Aero Mint Bubbles), to the challenges of fans draining their phone batteries mid-gig—was as memorable as her music. She described her ballads as laxatives for tears, persuaded her Dad to help her with ‘Sunflower’ and shouted out Marv and Rachelle sitting in the front row in the Balcony.

She addressed her past, her journey, and her present with unflinching honesty. When asked by an audience member if this night marked her comeback, Jessie replied:

“I don’t feel it’s a comeback. It’s a celebration of everything we feel and that we are. Everything I’ve got to do and everything I am in this moment. I just want people to know that I love to sing and people can enjoy it and take whatever they need from my music—it hasn’t changed since 2008. I’m just singing about different stuff now.”

Highlights included the soaring ‘Flashlight’, a vulnerable rendition of ‘Complicated’, and the emotional weight of ‘No Secrets‘ – a track that delves into personal loss and healing, written in the wake of her miscarriage and journey into motherhood. In one of many poignant moments, she sang ‘Price Tag‘ with Bailey, a young fan from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to whom she had earlier sung Happy Birthday.

From hilarious shout-outs to fans (“an award goes to the person who said I look like a lesbian geography teacher auditioning for The Mask”), to duets, birthday serenades, and deeply personal anecdotes, Jessie J proved that live music is not only about technical prowess, but emotional resonance.

Jessie ended the evening not with a final bow, but with a message of hope and gratitude:

“I never thought I’d live this life—I prayed for it for so long. The joy it brings me is overwhelming. I hope anyone with that feeling in their heart gets the happy ending they’re looking for.”

For fans and first-timers alike, this was far more than a concert. It was an evening of shared humanity—an acoustic celebration of imperfection, humour, love, and the sheer joy of singing. Jessie J isn’t just back—she’s thriving.

Jessie J has announced The No Secrets Tour, a string of intimate acoustic nights with Jessie J across Europe. Kicking off in Amsterdam on October 8th, the tour will see Jessie J perform 9 dates across the UK and Europe, before finishing at The London Palladium on October 21st.

Tickets can be purchased here: https://jessiej.os.fan