There is no denying that Jessie Reyez is a star. The Colombian-Canadian singer is a genre-blending powerhouse who commands attention when she hits the stage. After releasing her latest album, Paid In Memories, her fan base grew even stronger with viral hits like “CUDN’T B ME.” Now, she’s on a world tour, recently taking Los Angeles by storm, filling up the YouTube Theater in Inglewood.
Reyez took the stage in one amazing yellow two-piece outfit. She didn’t waste time with elaborate changes – it would have only taken time away from her on stage. She danced in 8-inch leather heels you usually only see on pole dancers, never missing a beat.
Reyez told the audience she had three goals for that night: “I hope that this whole evening you are yourself. I hope you don’t give a f**k about anybody watching you — that you are just you. I hope you go home sounding like an 80-year-old smoker. Your third goal is to make sure that you go home feeling better than however it is that you came,” she told the crowd before leading positive affirmations.
© PHARRISDESIGNSReyez encouraged everyone to be themselves and have fun, in whatever way that means. “If you are extroverted and you came to sing loud, then sing loud. If the person next to you isn’t singing, don’t worry. If the person next to you isn’t dancing, don’t worry. Don’t worry about being judged or being perceived. This life is too short,” she told the crowd. What resulted was a theater full of fans feeling free.
Throughout the show, she projected videos of a younger Reyez, giving a look into her creative mind and spirit. “You could die tomorrow, that’s a constant in a lot of the songs. I talk about it because my peace in life — a lot of it comes from being very aware that my life could end tomorrow. So it’s the reason why I stress to make sure that my parents are on good terms. They know I love them. That my brother’s straight. That I spend time with my nieces,” she says passionately in one of the clips, explaining she doesn’t want to have any regrets.
Reyez’s family is very important to her, and her parents are joining her on her tour. At one point, she called over her dad, Germán Reyez, for a “dance break,” and they did an impressive salsa. Germán was born in Colombia, and as he exited the stage, he took out his home country’s flag, proudly waving it in the air. Germán is the one who introduced Reyez to the guitar, which she also took the stage with.
The singer and songwriter played the guitar, sang in Spanish, and even played the keyboard. As she sat at the keys, she told the audience that life was about getting out of our comfort zone, saying that’s exactly why she was about to play it.
© ProvidedAs the concert continued, Reyez’s collection of colorful bras grew as audience members tossed them on stage. She put them on her microphone like a true rock star.
Her night was full of surprises and special guests. She brought out 6LACK to perform some of their hits like “6LESSINGS” and their 2019 hit “Imported.”
© PHARRISDESIGNSLater in the evening, she brought out Miguel for their sensual and groovy “JEANS.” The duo’s chemistry was undeniable, and the crowd went wild as they serenaded.
© PHARRISDESIGNSAs the show came to an end, one of the highlights was her now-famous audience sing-along to “CUDN’T B ME.” You could feel the crowd’s anticipation for it. Before performing it herself, she turned the microphone to the audience, letting them belt out every word with fire and intensity. The all-too-relatable lyrics struck a chord in every person’s heart. It’s rare to see an audience come together like that – and it was beautiful.
For one of her final songs, “FREE,” Reyez removed her heels and embodied the song, freely dancing around the stage with no reservations. If you get a chance to see Reyez live, don’t miss out. The artist is on tour until November, set to take the stage in San Diego, Ireland, UK, France, Belgium, Spain, South Africa, and more.
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