Jonathan 'JB': "It’s important to do things properly. JLS is all about excellence"
Britain’s favourite first black and mixed-race boy band JLS recently rocked Hammersmith Apollo, London. We watched as near hysteria and a deafening welcome from teen fans greeted the boys at their exclusive afternoon gig.
Hailing from London and Peterborough, the boys were in town live, in demand and unfazed by the female attention which included Katie Price who turned up to their one-off gig.
Other celebrities who showed their faces in the packed arena included Ian Wright, Angus Deaton, singer Jamelia and Lemar. Arriving at 1.20pm, we were met by a large crowd gathering outside the HMV Apollo armed with banners for JLS singer Aston’s birthday. As the doors opened at 1.30pm, TV cameras filmed the rush as excitable fans poured through the entrance ready to fill the arena’s 2,500 capacity.
We watched as the support act; rising RnB artist Stevie Hoang leapt on stage with his crew of energetic backing dancers to warm up the fans. Singing covers and his single ‘No Coming Back’, he set the tone for the eagerly awaited JLS. From keyboard playing to street dancing, he got the crowd to their feet with a standing ovation.
Fans then waited as the JLS countdown began, the anticipation was tense as screams echoed around the arena when the lights came up for JLS, welcoming the crowd to ‘their home town’. Hysteria reached its all time peak as the group begun their set, light sabres, mobile flashes and banners were raised as the boys worked their way through track after track including a medley dedicated to Michael Jackson.
JLS comprises of the four members; Aston Merrygold, Marvin Humes, Jonathan (JB) Gill and Oritse Williams. “We work hard,” says Jonathan ‘JB’. “That’s our ethos. It’s important to do things properly. JLS is all about excellence.”
Fans joined in tracks ‘One Shot’, ‘Beat Again’, ‘Everybody In Love’, ‘Umbrella’ and got to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Aston who performed his trademark backflips to ear-piercing screams. What JLS are delivering – they are doing it right..
By Amanda Hall-Davis
You only get one shot so make it count - and I did!
I was lucky enough to get tickets to see JLS at Hammersmith Apollo and I am just 9. The whole atmosphere started when I was standing in the queue waiting to go in. The suspense was too much to bear and some of the girls were singing some of the JLS’ songs! When it was time to go in I was just so excited. We were shown to our seats and I was able to stand on the arm of the chair in front and had a great view of the stage. The first act Steve Hoange was brilliant and everyone was dancing and singing along.
Then JLS came on and everyone went MAD.
Even though I was lucky to have earplugs, I had to put my hands over my ears because everyone was screaming so loudly! They played all my favourite JLS’ songs and were even better live than when they were on the X Factor. I am not surprised they won so many Britt awards! They played their new song which everyone loved and the video they showed was brilliant. Ashton did some awesome backflips. I want to be able to do that! I loved the whole day and want to watch them again and again. Thank you everyone at Music News for making my one shot at my first concert THE BEST.
By Elly Blatcher (Age 9)
