Friday night saw the Manchester Arena packed once again for the ‘Key 103 Christmas Live 2015’. It’s a night that’s like listening to the latest ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ compilation but live. The line up promises to bring the most popular, mainly British, pop artists to the people of Manchester and the Key 103 listeners.

The arena saw a great turn out for the show; better than the Summer Live concert, perhaps because of a better line up? The night is perfect for everyone from young adults, families and children because it’s got acts of all shapes and sizes to appeal to each demographic. First up on the bill was synth pop luvvies Years & Years who kicked the night off perfectly with hits from their uber popular album ‘Communion’. Lead singer Olly responded to the audiences cheers like a pro and got us revved up for the night, peaking with their platinum selling single ‘King’.

Hozier took to the stage with his band next and offered three tracks from his debut self titled album, but it came as no surprise that he saved his multi million selling single ‘Take Me To Church’ for the end and to be fair he ended on a high practically blowing the roof off the arena. He’s going to have to work hard to top that if he wants to avoid the one hit wonder label.

It came as a bit of a surprise to have Little Mix on the bill straight after. They’re arguably the biggest name on the bill so surely save the best till last? I wasn’t complaining because it’s lifelong a wish of mine to be the 5^th member but that’s not going to happen anytime soon. The girls gave a sleek, powerful and professional performance. Kicking it off with floor filler ‘Move’ then getting the crowd revved up around the arena. Most of the young children of the arena were there for Little Mix so you can imagine the high-pitched screams they got in response. New tracks ‘Love Me Like You’ and in particular pop anthem of the year ‘Black Magic’ saw the girls dance and sing like there’s no tomorrow. Top class entertainers don’t get much better.

Big hair sensation Fleur East nicely followed Little Mix’s high-energy slot with the obligatory ‘Uptown Funk’ and her new single ‘Sax’. If you ever saw THAT ‘Sax’ performance on X Factor you’ll know how incredible Fleur is. Even when she’s dancing on her own, Fleur is a force of nature. It’s a shame she only did the two tracks on the night as the crowd had just got warmed up as she left.

Jess Glynne was next up, so it looked organisers had kept the female pop performers at the core of the show instead of spreading them out. Glynne as you know has been one of this years biggest success stories. Her album ‘I Cry When I Laugh’ has gone platinum, she’s had three, yes THREE No.1’s, and she was chosen, as this years Children In Need ambassador with the hit ballad ‘Take Me Home’. So it’s easy to understand why the arena’s audience lapped every second of her set up. Glynne’s voice was just as strong and clean as on her recordings. Even on ‘Hold My Hand’ she hit the high notes over and over again with ease.

Just as the night was on a steady flow of pop loveliness we were hit with an interval. Maybe too long an interval as 20 minutes in a packed out arena with children saw the crowd getting a bit restless. Even the dreaded ‘Dance Camera’ spotlighting audience members went on for what felt like forever.

Sigma blasted onto the stage and surprisingly got the nights biggest audience response. They’ve had hits this year with people like Rita Ora and Paloma Faith, so they’re replacement session singer deserves a mention for her fantastic vocals. Just a shame Sigma themselves didn’t give her any credit after the set.

Mike and Chelsea from Key 103 brought the festive cheer with a Christmas sing a long, because remember it is Christmas after all, which was to be followed by the male’s of the line up.

James Morrison belted out two tracks from his new album. Lead single ‘Demons’ saw his soulful voice at its best, unfortunately he didn’t have any interaction with the audience but he ended on crowd pleaser ‘You Give Me Something’. Like Fleur, Ben Haenow performed a 2-song set. His No.1 winners single ‘Something I Need’ and ‘Second Hand Heart’ which on the recording features Kelly Clarkson even though there’s never been a performance of them both singing it together live. His raspy vocals make him like a young dark haired Rod Stewart you could say? OK, maybe not.

Keeping the boys with the boys and ending with one too, John Newman finished the night’s set with a mix of dance and soul. His No.1 collaboration with Calvin Harris ‘Blame’ got an almighty response from the crowd as did debut hit ‘Love Me Again’. He ended the show perfectly leaving the audience on a high, yet again establishing the tradition of the Key 103 gig as a Manchester must see.

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Photos by Stephen Farrell

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