Manchester’s ‘Salute’ to Key 103 Summer Live 2015

Little Mix took charge of Manchester with anthem, Salute

Despite Rita Ora dropping out of the show earlier in the month, the Key 103 Summer Live gig still had a promising mix of acts on offer.

But it was without doubt Little Mix who all the children of the audience were eager to see. I must have missed the face paint memo, I felt a bit left out not having ‘Perrie’ or ‘Jesy’ painted across my face, but I held my excitement on the inside so it still counts.

James Bay kicked things off with a set that climaxed with ‘Hold Back The River’ followed by Mr. Probz. He may not have been a recognisable face- he even joked ‘I bet nobody knows who I am but that’ll soon change’. It did when once he began serenading us with ‘Waves’- one of the biggest hits of last year.

Mark Ronson provided a DJ set that picked up the pace in the arena with a playlist that mashed together tracks like Iggy Azalea’s ‘Fancy’ with Major Lazer & DJ Snake’s ‘Leon On’ and of course ‘Uptown Funk’. Considering it was such a short set he did a good job leaving an impression on the crowd.

The surprise of the night was how good Ella Eyre turned out to be! She may have been one of the lesser-known names on the line up but Eyre almost stole the entire show with her fiery performance, especially with her uplifting track ‘Gravity’.

After a short interval Lawson were up next. Their boy band good looks seemed to please the mums in the audience. With a decent cover of Jess Glynne’s ‘Hold Your Hand’ and final track ‘Juliet’ it looks like they’re not going to become a one-album wonder.

Alesha Dixon tried to get the crowd revved up with ‘Let’s Get Excited’. Unfortunately they weren’t, but she made a comeback with Mis Teeq’s 2003 classic ‘Scandalous’ and got the loudest reaction from the audience of the night so far.

Even though they haven’t secured a record deal, and are rumoured to be splitting up for that reason, Stereo Kicks were welcomed to an arena of screaming girls who loved every minute of their set of covers and lastly ‘Love Me So’- their debut (and probably only) single.

The best were saved till last as Little Mix entered the stage with the whole arena screaming (including myself) as Perrie, Jesy, Leigh Anne and Jade took charge with anthem ‘Salute’. Manchester got the exclusive from the girls that Jesy had got engaged to Rixton’s Jake Roche only hours before the show, making the night an extra bit special for their young fans. The night peaked with their 4 track set that ended with their current No.1 ‘Black Magic’, proving that their energetic dance moves and strong vocals (that would make Beyonce proud) were well worth the wait.

Rixton’s Jake proposes to Jesy, Little Mix while Ed Sheeran serenades on stage

Words, Tom Frodsham

 Key 103 Summer Live 2015, sponsored by PrettyLittleThing.com