“Paid in Memories” Tour kicks off with raw emotion, family moments, and signature fire
Canadian R&B singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez brought her “Paid in Memories” tour to Dublin’s historic 3Olympia Theatre ,delivering a powerful and emotionally charged performance that captivated a packed and enthusiastic crowd. With support from rising UK talent Tamera, the night was a vibrant showcase of female artistry, vulnerability, and resilience.
Opening the evening, Tamera’s short but soulful set introduced the crowd to her smooth blend of R&B, pop, and neo-soul. While her vocals were consistently impressive, and her stage presence warm and engaging, the stage lighting during her performance left something to be desired. Much of her set was under-lit or unevenly spotlighted, which occasionally distracted from the intimacy and connection her music aimed to create. Still, the audience responded warmly, and Tamera made the most of the platform, no doubt winning over plenty of new listeners.
The energy in the venue shifted palpably as Jessie Reyez took the stage, opening her set with the fierce and haunting “I Never Said I Was Sane.” Dressed in a t-shirt and shorts and accompanied by a live band, Reyez’s raw voice cut through the venue like a blade, filled with pain, power, and poetry. From the jump, she held the crowd in the palm of her hand.
The setlist was a carefully curated blend of old fan favorites and new material, showcasing her evolution as an artist. Tracks like “Shutter Island” and “Mutual Friend” brought audible cheers, with audience members singing every word, while deeper cuts allowed Reyez to explore quieter, more introspective territory. Each song was delivered with her trademark emotional intensity, sometimes teetering on the edge of spoken word, other times soaring into guttural, almost primal cries.
A highlight of the night came early in the set, when Reyez invited her father on stage. The moment was as unexpected as it was heartwarming, he joined her in a joyful dance that drew loud applause and cheers from the crowd. It was a touching reminder of the personal and familial threads that run through much of her music. The chemistry between them added a real warmth to the show, a brief, beautiful glimpse behind the curtain of her often turbulent lyrical themes.
The closing section of the set brought a final emotional gut-punch with “Cudnt Be Me,” a track that felt like both a personal exorcism and a universal anthem of self-worth and survival. But Reyez wasn’t done. Returning for the encore, she performed the standout ballad “Still See You,” during which she stepped off the stage. Reyez sang with aching sincerity, the connection between artist and audience feeling especially real in those final moments.
Despite lighting missteps (most notably during Tamera’s set), the night was a success in every meaningful way. The “Paid in Memories” tour launch felt like more than just a concert, it was a cathartic release, a celebration of identity, and a reminder of the power of honesty in music.
Jessie Reyez continues to prove she’s one of the most emotionally authentic voices in contemporary R&B and hip hop. Dublin was lucky to be the first stop.
Tamera photos:
Jessie Reyez photos & set-list:
Set-list:
I Never Said I Was Sane
Beggin 4 Luv
Goliath
NYB
Palo Santo
Psilocybin & Daisies
Fuck It
Shutter Island
Gatekeeper
Coffin
6lessings
Forever
Imported
Ocean
Figures
Great One
Apple Juice
Mutual Friend
L.O.Y.L.
Con El Viento
Ridin
Jeans
Cbm Pump Fake
Cudnt Be ME
__________________
Still C U
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic