Review: JLS, Newcastle City Hall

By Hannah Bullimore, Evening Chronicle

Young reviewer Hannah Bullimore catches X Factor runners-up JLS on their first UK tour, which was at Newcastle City Hall last night

I HAVE a confession to make.

I am that girl who squeals whenever JLS come on screen, knows all the dance routines and all of the words to each song.

So last night myself and my sister were given a real treat when we got to go and see JLS live.

JLS – or Jack the Lad, Swing – first appeared on the X Factor in 2008, where they wowed every young female in the UK, and a few mams too!

Their mix of pop music and hip hop dancing make them perhaps the biggest boy band of the moment.

JLS performed songs from their debut album, as well as a dedication to the late Michael Jackson.

They managed to connect with the audience in a manner that suggested they had been performing on stage their whole lives.

I doubt there was a throat in the entire hall that wasn’t aching from screaming at the end of the performance, which was packed full of JLS’s memorable songs and excellent dance moves.

The boys also mentioned the earthquake in Haiti, which was supported by the crowd, who applauded the band throughout.

The favourite songs of the night were Beat Again, One Shot and the cover of Rihanna’s Umbrella, which took the audience back to JLS’s X Factor beginnings, being one of the songs they sang on the show.

It is safe to say that JLS are here to stay, though it is early days for the boyband, it is easy to see that they already understand how to work a crowd and keep everyone entertained.

Though it was young girls especially that appreciated the charm of the boys – Aston, Marvin, Oristé and JB – the show would appeal to anyone who likes to dance. If you can, go and see them.

You won’t regret it.