Concert Review: Jessie Reyez Rises Against Adversity At Irving Plaza
From sexual harassment to depression, Jessie Reyez was not holding back against the things have tried to stop her from rising to her dreams. From her emotional breakdown to the anonymous, powerful producer that said, “The only way you are going to get your dreams is if you suck d**k,” at Irving Plaza, Reyez’s was surprisingly open about the adversity she faced as a person with ambition.
What I love most about Jessie Reyez’s show is that, if you see her live, you will like her 10000 times more. She is a spit-fire personality, and says what she wants, when she wants, and how she wants. Yet, what makes her so appealing is that she is kind. She is not stirring a rally of hate as much as a blunt, raucous riot for love that spans across gender, sexuality, race, and class. Thus, her ability to appear vulnerable and tough, confident yet insecure, sweet but not one to mess with enraptured the audience because, even if we differ in degrees, we are made of the same ingredients. We may “cook” differently, but, ultimately, we are good people trying to figure out how to feel better.
Jessie Reyez – Body Count
“Fuck Being Friends,” “Gatekeeper,” and “Figures” were amongst the many, affirming songs Jessie sang that spoke to her truth/ ours; if someone is not for you being at your best then they are not the best for you. Most of the time, music only hits on this truth in terms of romance, but every person you meet will make you confront this choice. From “Apple Juice” to “Body Count,” Jessie was unstoppable. She may be young, but it took her years to achieve this point in her career, of which she was massively grateful. It is for this reason she was so interpersonal and funnily friendly with the crowd; she has been dreaming of us.
Jessie Reyez – Apple Juice
A sold out tour is massive, and Jessie Reyez was aware. Yet, it was her singing of “Sola” that made me aware of how much she can do with her career. As the whole audience sang in Spanish, I was READY for a full-length Spanish record. Though sick, her voice grasped the emotionality of every verse. Moreover, the way she moved her body as if music ignited her muscles was captivating. She physicalized what we feel about music. There are moments when a song can make our blood feel as if it is boiling with passion or our heart is racing with realness, of which tracks like ”Dear Jessie” and “Blue Ribbon” did just that. For More Information On Jessie Reyez Click Here.
Jessie Reyez – Gatekeeper
