Jessie Ware on the ‘hyper-surreal’ high of her first arena tour

When Jessie Ware’s music video for “Ride” debuted, it wasn’t just the song that drew attention—it was the unexpected cameo by James Norton, an actor known for his role in Happy Valley. The clip, which features Ware straddling a metaphorical bucking bronco while being compared to a James Bond figure, quickly became a talking point. This single is part of her upcoming sixth studio album, Superbloom, marking a new chapter in her career. But the singer reveals that announcing her first UK arena tour has added an extra layer of surreal excitement.

Ware’s journey in music has spanned over a decade, with her debut album Devotion now celebrating its 14th anniversary. Reflecting on the growth of her fanbase, she says,

“I love the journey that I’ve been on. I just think it shows how long it can take to build a community.”

The upcoming tour, set for London’s O2, Glasgow’s Hydro, and Manchester’s Co-op Live, will see her perform in venues with capacities of 23,500. “I’ll just get all my family from Manchester to fill the seats,” she jokes, downplaying the scale of the event.

Her music has always been designed to energize, with early tracks offering a mix of rhythm and respite. For her arena shows, Ware aims to maintain that balance, blending high-energy performances with moments of personal connection. She cites Lady Gaga as a key influence, noting,

“Gaga connects in arenas. Maybe I’m going to have to have a B-stage or get into the crowd, but I’ll find a way.”

“I will try and bring that intimacy, vocals, pizzazz—all of it,” she adds.

Ware’s creative process for the album’s lead single, “I Could Get Used To This,” involved experimenting with panpipes and funky guitar riffs. The follow-up track, “Ride,” takes a darker turn with disco beats and dramatic elements like whips and horse galloping. While the song samples the iconic whistle from The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, she admits her knowledge of Westerns ends there. “I’ve never seen that film in my life,” she laughs. “I whistled it because we were making a cowboy song and I wanted the drop to not be my vocal.”

To use the sample, Ware had to secure permission from Ennio Morricone’s estate, a process she found reassuring. “They obviously love a bit of disco,” she remarks. The tour dates are set for 28 November in London, 4 December in Glasgow, and 5 December in Manchester. For those who missed the live stream, Newsbeat offers a catch-up option.