In a genre often dominated by glossed-over narratives and cookie-cutter personas, Jessie Reyez remains a singular force — equal parts poet, provocateur, and phoenix. The Colombian-Canadian powerhouse brought her “Paid In Memories Tour” to the chic Coca-Cola Roxy, and in doing so, reaffirmed her position as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary R&B and alternative soul. For nearly two hours, Reyez delivered a visceral, multifaceted performance that transcended mere entertainment; it was intimate, unrelenting, and unforgettably human.
Reyez’s rise from intimate open mics and gritty SoundCloud uploads to Grammy-nominated stages is the kind of ascent that feels increasingly rare — earned through blood, vulnerability, and a searing commitment to truth. That trajectory was lovingly spotlighted during the show via intermittent home-video footage, projected between songs on massive double-decker LCD screens that stretched the width of the stage. From candid childhood clips to moments of reflection about family, sacrifice, and the fragility of life, the interludes illustrated just how far Reyez has come. These visuals weren’t just nostalgic — they were thematic anchors, reminding the audience that for Jessie, art is memory made melodic.
The stage design itself was both audacious and immersive. Dynamic lighting cut through the haze like brushstrokes on a midnight canvas, while the towering LED panels oscillated between hypnotic dreamscapes and hyperreal projections. One moment, Reyez was backdropped by a parade of sports cars, the next by a wash of silhouettes and blooming flowers, sometimes even a procession of coffins and broken hearts. In an era where many artists lean on minimalism, Reyez embraced a maximalist vision, amplifying her already potent storytelling. The double-tiered stage gave her the ability to shift perspectives physically and emotionally — ascending above the crowd for aerial intimacy or diving into the front rows for raw, face-to-face communion.
Outfitted in athleisure comfort wear, knee-high furry boots, and an energy that never once flagged, Reyez was in perpetual motion — both literally and emotionally. Her dancing throughout the night was impassioned and eclectic: sometimes aggressive, sometimes playful, but always authentic. Songs like “Palo Santo” and “Shutter Island” saw her dart across the stage with an irrepressible kinetic energy that suggested she wasn’t just performing for us — she was purging with us. And yet, even amidst the high-octane moments, it was a tender interlude that brought the house to a crescendo: when Jessie invited her father (“papi”) onstage for a dance, the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. It was a genuine, heart-swelling moment and deeply personal.
Yet Reyez is never one to linger in any one emotional register for long. The evening’s emotional core arrived during her stripped-down rendition of “Figures,” performed acoustically with little more than a guitar and her haunting, raspy vocals. The song, a fan favorite, was rendered even more poignant under a soft spotlight, silencing the entire venue into reverent stillness. Moments prior, a chilling transition led us into “Coffin,” underscored by a heart-wrenching visual: animated hearts morphing into coffins, a metaphorical reminder of love’s capacity to both heal and destroy. Here, Reyez wasn’t just singing — she was baring psychic wounds, and in doing so, creating space for collective catharsis.
One of the most impactful sequences came not from a song, but a home video vignette in which Reyez spoke about her grounding values. “I call my parents every day. I visit my friends even if I’m tired. I FaceTime my nieces even when I’m on the road — because tomorrow is never promised,” she declared. That ethos is palpable in how she performs: with urgency, with devotion, as if every show could be her last. It’s this sense of ephemeral purpose — that any moment might vanish — that makes her performances burn so brightly. Her humility and brashness coalesce beautifully, especially when she thanks her audience for “coming to the Jessie muthafuckin’ Reyez show” — a proclamation that earned roars of approval.
The nearly 20-plus song setlist was expertly paced and emotionally expansive. Highlights included the anthemic “NYB,” a chilling rendition of “L.O.Y.L,” and the romantic urgency of “Great One.” Each track added a new layer to the emotional architecture of the night, moving from longing and rage to tenderness and joy. Her voice — a gravelly, shape-shifting instrument — remained elastic and commanding throughout, unspooling tales of heartbreak and resilience with a fervor that felt almost sacred. The audience was right there with her the whole time, singing, sobbing, shouting — a choir of witnesses to an artist giving her all.
Reyez concluded the night with her latest hit, “CUDN’T B ME,” transforming the venue into a defiant swaying dance floor. The song’s infectious rhythm and rebellious spirit were a fitting end to a night that defied convention and exceeded expectations. Even as the final notes faded and the lights dimmed, her presence lingered — intense, unrelenting, unforgettable. The Jessie Reyez who once poured her soul into grainy webcam covers is now a fully-formed storm onstage: reflective but relentless, personal yet universal.
LoudSound Magazine 
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