Jessie J shines on her No Secrets tour at the Albert Hall Manchester
- Desh Kapur
- 8 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Albert Hall Manchester – 13th April 2026
WORDS / IMAGES MICHAEL BOND
The line outside Albert Hall tonight, snakes down Peter Street long before doors open, and there’s a hum in the air for tonight’s sold-out show. Jessie J is not just returning to Manchester; she is stepping into a room that suits her perfectly, ornate, intimate, and primed for a voice that can swing from whisper to rafters in a heartbeat.
Tonight’s support comes from local lad, collaborator and long-time friend of Jessie J, Daley. He arrives on stage to a warm reception. There’s something quietly commanding about his presence, unshowy but assured, allowing the music to do the talking. His voice glides through the hall with a soft falsetto that feels perfectly matched to the venue’s acoustics, wrapping the crowd in a kind of late-night intimacy even in this early evening slot. Between songs, he keeps chatter minimal, but when he does speak, it lands with genuine warmth. The highlight comes when he leans into more stripped-back moments, letting melodies breathe and harmonies bloom. It’s a set that doesn’t try to overwhelm; instead, it draws people in, and you can feel the audience collectively leaning closer. By the end, he has won over the room, which is no small feat ahead of such a highly anticipated headliner.
As the room continues to pack out, both on the floor and across the balcony, the lights drop and Jessie can be immediately heard but not seen. She then appears from a backstage door on the balcony and steps out amongst the crowd, providing a special moment from the outset. Opening with “Do It Like a Dude,” it’s intimate, punchy and playful, backed up by her immaculate voice, which sets the scene for the rest of the evening. As the song finishes, she makes her way backstage and down to the stage, while introducing her band as she goes, just in time to introduce herself as she bounds across the stage, all swagger and mischief, proclaiming “and I’m motherfu*%ing Jessie J”. grinning as the crowd matches her energy bar for bar.
There’s a sense that anything could happen tonight, as she playfully lays out some ground rules for the show ahead, which boil down to enjoy yourselves, be respectful and appreciate the new music. This looseness carries into “Who You Are,” where the tone shifts without losing momentum. She strips things back just enough to let the lyrics breathe, her voice ringing out with clarity which feels almost conversational. It’s here that the first of many crowd interactions takes shape. She pauses, laughs at a shouted comment from the balcony, and folds it seamlessly into a conversation about a misunderstood lyric which goes back and forth before leading into an invitation to sing at a fans upcoming wedding. From this she seamlessly slips back into and finishes the song.
Newer material like “I’LL NEVER KNOW WHY” slots in naturally, its introspective edge underscored by a vocal performance that leans into fragility without ever losing control. Jessie J has always had technical brilliance, but tonight it’s her emotional precision that stands out, she knows exactly when to pull back and when to let rip.
“Nobody’s Perfect” brings the mood back up, as the audience seizes the chorus. Jessie plays conductor, encouraging louder singalongs. Creating a genuine connection. This is followed by a brief pause, as Jessie shares a story, funny at first, self-deprecating, then gradually revealing something more vulnerable beneath the surface.
“Thunder” sees Daley return to the stage, and the chemistry is immediate. Their voices intertwine with an ease that shows long term familiarity, as the performance builds to a soaring climax that draws one of the night’s biggest reactions. Jessie steps back at one point, letting Daley take the lead, watching him with visible pride before rejoining for a final, spine-tingling harmony.
There’s a noticeable tonal shift with “My Shadow,” one of the evening’s most sincere moments. The humour never disappears, but it’s reframed, becoming a way into deeper emotion rather than a shield against it. “Burnin’ Up” snaps things back into high gear, with its sharper vocals. Jessie stalks the stage, teasing the crowd, throwing in ad-libs that showcase both her range and her sense of fun. It’s here that the silliness she’s hinted at all night comes fully into focus, playful vocal runs, exaggerated dance moves, and the kind of spontaneous laughter that makes the whole room feel in on the moment.
The newer tracks “CALIFORNIA,” “SONFLOWER,” and “H.A.P.P.Y”, form a loose suite that highlights where she is now as an artist. There’s a warmth and openness to these songs, a willingness to sit in joy without overcomplicating it. The performances themselves are pristine, but they never feel clinical as she maintains a human edge.
Next up is “Domino” which is pure release. The crowd erupts from the first note, and Jessie leans into it fully, encouraging dancing, clapping, anything that keeps the energy high. By now, the line between J and the audience has blurred almost entirely, as she’s not just singing to them, but singing with them. “Price Tag” follows, and it’s one of the night’s most communal moments. When the chorus hits, it’s less a performance and more a shared memory, as the entire hall is unified in a way that feels both nostalgic and immediate.
She closes with “My Way,” which was an earlier fan request that hasn’t been on previous shows setlists, which is the perfect encapsulation of the evening. There’s defiance in it, along with joy, gratitude, and a sense of hard-won self-assurance. Vocally, she is untouchable. Every run lands, every high note soars, and yet it never feels like she’s showing off. The technique is there to serve the song, the moment, the connection. And that connection is what defines tonight show. Whether she’s laughing at herself, interacting with fans, telling a story, or locking into a powerful vocal, Jessie J keeps the audience with her at every turn.
Tonight the intimacy is amplified, as the venue allows for nuance, for those quieter, reflective moments to resonate. By the time the lights come up, there’s a sense that everyone has been part of something personal as well as spectacular. It’s a show built on contradictions, silly yet sincere, polished yet spontaneous, technically flawless yet emotionally raw, and Jessie J holds all of it together with ease.
SET LIST
1. Do It Like a Dude
2. Who You Are
3. I'LL NEVER KNOW WHY
4. Nobody's Perfect
5. Thunder (with Daley)
6. My Shadow
7. Burnin' Up
8. CALIFORNIA
9. SONFLOWER
10. H.A.P.P.Y
11. Domino
12. Price Tag
13. My Way
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