Graham Clark, Music Features Writer

Lizzo - A Special Treat With A Strong Support

Joy Crookes had the daunting task of opening for Lizzo at the Manchester Arena; the London-based singer, songwriter, producer and performer came into the limelight a few years ago with the gorgeous Don’t Let Me Down, a tender ballad in the mould of Ella Fitzgerald.

Crookes’ brand of sophisticated soul with a dash of jazz is better suited to smaller, more intimate venues than a sprawling arena. That Crookes pulled the feat off with total ease says something of her talent. By the time she concluded her set with When You Were Mine Crookes had rightly gained a whole new set of fans with her impressive and confident performance.

Joy Crookes
Joy Crookes
Opening her first UK tour since 2019, Lizzo arrived on stage wearing a sequinned red cat suit. In a show that was big, bold and beautiful the Minneapolis singer asked the sold out audience “Are you Ready?” as way of an introduction to 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready). Not that they needed any encouragement on this rainy Saturday evening.

Her all female band kept the vibe flowing, though it was the facial expressions of Lizzo that suggested she was delighted to be back on stage, her joyfulness seemed genuine and unforced. For every sparkle in her eye there was a warmth and empathy that resonated no matter where you were sat in the arena.

Her career began as a rapper but tonight her pop sensibilities shone through from her cover of Chaka Khan’s, I’m Every Woman to the radio friendly hit, Juice.

Lizzo
Lizzo
The tears that rolled down her face after performing Special seemed real: an emotional moment where the hyperactive show took a breather, if only for a few minutes.

About Damn Time is undoubtedly one of the best pop songs of last year. As a Nile Rodgers inspired guitar riff underpinned the track, the fans could have not wished for a better soundtrack to their Saturday night.

As a ginormous mirror ball spun above her head, Lizzo, complete with her dancers ended a spectacle that had been theatrical, engaging and absorbing.