Photo Credit: Alex Brown
In an era where classic boybands are few and far between, JLS reminded fans why their charm still fills arenas 17 years after storming the X Factor stage. At Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena, Aston Merrygold, Oritsé Williams, Marvin Humes, and JB Gill delivered a show that was equal parts celebratory and nostalgic. The evening proved that dance moves, energy, and fan connection remain firmly in JLS’s DNA, with every moment of the “The Club Is Alive” tour highlighting why fans keep coming back for more.
As if JLS wasn’t enough nostalgia for one evening, Example ‘kickstarted’ the night with a set filled with early 2010’s club classics. Effortlessly bridging the gap between his classic hits and fresh material, Example gave it his all as the arena quickly filled up. A seasoned live performer, he knew exactly how to get the crowd moving, turning a chilly winter arena into a proper festival vibe. By the time he closed with anthems like ‘Changed the Way You Kissed Me’ and ‘Kickstarts’, the audience was buzzing and primed for the main event.
When JLS finally hit the stage, the opening notes of ‘The Club Is Alive’ sent the arena into a frenzy. Rising from the back of the star-shaped stage, the band opened with a run of fan favourites. It didn’t take long for them to settle into a seamless rhythm of tight harmonies, signature dance moves, and playful banter that had the crowd hypnotised. One thing that is clear among the band is that their consistency has been maintained throughout their career. With Aston on crutches and the other three members carrying the choreography, one thing was clear; their energy never faltered. Proof of why JLS has remained one of Britain’s most enduring boybands for the past 17 years.
The setlist worked across every stage of their career, pulling from all six studio albums without feeling like a rigid greatest-hits run. ‘Do You Feel What I Feel?’ and ‘Eternal Love’ arrived early, both met with a burst of recognition that settled the pace for the rest of the night. The fan-selected ‘Only Tonight’ followed with everyone singing along, a small but effective reminder of how tightly this audience has stuck with them over the years. ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ next drew one of the loudest responses of the show, feeding perfectly into a quick-fire mashup that skimmed across multiple era. Each segment prompted another wave of noise as people recognised the next hook. Oritsé joked there were too many songs to perform, but the crowd didn’t mind, singing along to every snippet.
Crowd participation ran throughout the night. A cover of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella‘ turned the arena into a communal singalong, while ‘She Makes Me Wanna‘ featured on-screen choreography guides from Sam Thompsom that had the audience mimicking the band’s signature moves. DJ sets from Marvin and Aston punctuated the set, adding club energy and reminding everyone that this was a party as much as a concert. ‘Take a Chance on Me‘, ‘One Shot‘, and ‘Beat Again‘ closed the main set before a brief break. JLS returned for an encore with ‘Proud‘ and ‘Everybody in Love‘. The arena roared, voices and energy spilling through every corner. 17 years after X Factor, JLS proved they still know how to own a stage. By the time the lights went up, it was clear the band still have the formula that keeps fans singing along, jumping, and coming back for more.
Taped Magazine 