Anne Marie certainly knows how to make fans sing and dance their heart out, while reflecting on past romances.
The Essex-born pop star played Leeds First Direct Arena on Monday evening as part of her tour Dysfunctional. Crowds were seeing eagerly heading into the arena wearing t-shirts printed with the singer and pink hair she often bodes - and it wasn't just young folk, students, and keen teens, there were plenty of couples out for a date night, lad mates, and families enjoying the occasion.
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During the show Anne-Marie, 31, crowned Leeds 'the loudest crowd of the tour so far' after previously playing at Dublin's 3 Arena, Glasgow's OVO Hydro, and Cardiff's Motorpoint Arena. As the Leeds venue is smaller than stadiums such as Wembley and the Brit Award stage - where Anne-Marie ironically fell like Madonna after twisting her ankle in platform heels - the star said she could 'see every single person's face' in the crowd.
The show supporting Anne-Marie's album Therapy began with a special guest performance from Gracey and Billen Ted. While it was expected tickets would fly off the shelves, there were quite a few seats of the 'nosebleed seats' that were empty, and above the screaming crowd was a sea of red where no one was sat.
The West End child star turned multi-platinum-selling artist came on stage on time and offered a show-stopping start with Ciao Adios. This may have been a more fitting song for the end, seeing as though it translates as 'hello, goodbye'. The crowd roared as strobe lights, punching graphics, and a leather-clad Annie-Marie and her dancers and Anne Marie were captured by a sea of mobile phones.
The four-time Brit Award nominee had a number of quick outfit changes which gave the show variety, flare, and kept fans on their toes. She changed into a puffy white dress and white platformed boots, and sat on a set of prop clouds, as a smoke covered the bottom of the stage which offered a heavenly feel.
At that moment, she spoke about her journey to making album Therapy - released in summer 2021 - and discussed her issues with relationships as well as body consciousness issues and accepting herself. Her care for others and drive to showcase her 'normal' side outside of popstar life. This came across in a charming manner and had the crowd intrigued and engaged.
Keeping her neat long double plaits in her hair, Anne-Marie, after another impressively rapid quick outfit change, wore a blue and green pleaded mini skirt, black lace body suit, and lace cycling shorts. It's easy to forget just how many popular hits the Billboard Music Award nominee has. Rockabye and one of her first ever mega-hits Alarm delighted the crowd.
To complete the show song 'Birthday' was performed and cannons of pink confetti spread across the arena. The length of her concert became something of a talking point. Anne Marie was only on stage for just over an hour which didn't seem enough to some.
An excited young fan and her mum were walking down the steps to go home and her mum said: "Well, I thought she was going to be on for longer to be honest." They had travelled from Scotland to attend the event said. They added: "We were paid £48 for the concert. It is a lot really. I thought we were going to be here for much longer."
It is fair to say Anne-Marie left her crowd wanting that little bit more.
Setlist
- Ciao adios
- x2
- Alarm
- Tell Your Girlfriend
- Then
- Rockabye
- Therapy
- Our Song
- Breathing
- Beautiful
- Perfect
- Better Off
- 2002
- Kiss My (Uh-Oh)
- Way Too Long
- Don't Play
Encore
- FRIENDS
- Birthday
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