In the depths of Vancouver’s Fortune Sound Club, JESSIA’s “Be Here Now” Tour captured an audience eager for both intimacy and unfiltered emotion. JESSIA entered the spotlight with an effortless mix of edge and casual cool, wearing an oversized white t-shirt and ruffled mini skirt. Her knee-high, buckled platform boots were bold and rebellious, instantly grounding her in the crowd’s gaze. With each step, she brought the audience closer to her world, breaking down the usual barrier between artist and fan in a way that felt personal and unscripted.
Photos by Mike Thomas / Backspin Canada
From the first note, it was clear this performance would be anything but conventional. As the red and orange lights cast a warm glow over the stage, JESSIA opened with “I Should Quit,” a track that rippled through the crowd, each line hitting like a shared confession. Her voice, raw yet controlled, reverberated against the rustic wooden stage and filled the club’s tight quarters, drawing fans into her introspective storytelling. The setting—dim, almost grungy in its minimalism—perfectly matched her approach, blending vulnerability with a touch of grit that suits her style well.
She continued into “But I Don’t” and “Conviction,” weaving humor and self-awareness into every lyric, her expressions as much a part of the show as the music itself. There’s an authenticity about JESSIA that’s refreshing, almost like she’s reliving each song for the first time along with her audience. Between tracks, she spoke directly to the crowd, laughing off life’s hiccups, and cracking jokes that revealed the grounded personality her fans have come to adore. At one point, she shared an anecdote about a past relationship, sparking knowing laughs and a few sympathetic cheers.
As she moved into the fan-favourite, “I'm Not Pretty,” the room was electric. With nearly everyone singing along, it felt like a moment of collective empowerment. JESSIA’s vocals soared, unrestrained by any studio polish, giving the song a raw, new life that can only happen live. Here, in the packed Fortune Sound Club, fans weren’t just witnesses—they were participants in her journey. Her performance of “Happy Without You” and “The Woman You Are” had an added depth, her voice dipping into lower registers as she brought out each song's emotional core.
Closing with “Be Here Now,” JESSIA created a palpable sense of unity, with everyone hanging onto her every word, entranced by the idea of embracing the present, flaws and all. It was a fitting end to a set that embodied her journey—a reminder to both her and the fans to savor these raw, fleeting moments. Her vocal energy, intimate as it was fierce, left a lingering warmth as the last note faded.
JESSIA’s performance wasn’t just a concert—it was a shared moment, a celebration of resilience and self-acceptance. She brings a refreshing honesty to her art, and it’s impossible not to leave feeling inspired, moved by her openness. If there’s one question that lingers, it’s this: as JESSIA’s voice grows louder, how many more hearts will she reach on this journey?
UPCOMING TOUR DATES
October 28 – Calgary, AB
October 29 – Edmonton, AB
November 3 – Toronto, ON
November 4 – New York, NY
November 6 – Montreal, QB
November 7 – Ottawa, ON
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