Jason Derulo's London Arena Show Delivers Nostalgic Highs Amidst Production Lows
Opening a concert with a brand new track is always a daring choice for an artist with a back catalogue as packed with nostalgic anthems as Jason Derulo's. Yet, the American singer showed no signs of timidity as he took to the stage at London's iconic O2 Arena on Saturday night. Following a slight delay, the lights dimmed and Derulo emerged, clad in leather trousers and a jacket, launching straight into his recent release Sexy For Me. From the outset, the spectacle was overwhelming, with scantily clad female dancers performing acrobatic feats typically reserved for Cirque du Soleil productions.
Nostalgic Crowd-Pleasers Overshadow New Material
While the new song proved catchy, it was utterly eclipsed by the explosive roar that greeted Derulo's second number, Wiggle. This 2014 club anthem instantly transported the audience back to their teenage years, prompting screams, dancing, and laughter across the arena. One particularly flexible dancer rolling on the floor added to the surreal atmosphere. Derulo then unleashed another heavyweight hit, Whatcha Say, sending the crowd into a frenzy as they sang along passionately. However, this 2009 favourite felt disappointingly abbreviated, making way for the first of many costume and scenery changes throughout the evening.
This decision to truncate one of his signature songs served as an early warning that the show would be a stop-start affair. Only a few tracks in, the performance paused to usher in the 'Jungle Derulo' era, featuring high-energy tunes like Tip Toe. Despite dramatic buildup with Derulo disappearing beneath the stage, the reveal fell flat. The dancers underwent full costume changes, while Derulo himself merely swapped into another all-black outfit, one of several similar looks that varied little beyond exchanging a leather jacket for a fur one.
Bizarre Stage Design Undermines Performance
The set design did little to enhance the experience, with peculiar AI animations projected on screens that made the actual stage appear lacklustre, adorned only with a few palm trees. At moments, it seemed as if half the decorations had been lost en route to London, forcing the crew to improvise with leftover items from the O2's basement. Two giant Medusa heads with glowing red eyes were brought on stage for a single song, then remained awkwardly on display for the remainder of the show.
The staging took an even odder turn with animated volcano eruptions on screens, while an AI-generated empty hospital backdrop created a bizarre fusion reminiscent of Grey's Anatomy relocated to Pompeii. Amid this confusion, three female dancers emerged in vaguely Spanish flamenco costumes, echoing Lady Gaga's iconic red lace ensemble. Their routines, however, were impressively executed, showcasing flawless choreography that became a genuine highlight whenever they broke away from repetitive ass-shaking, back bends, and splits.
Musical Strengths and Crowd Engagement
Musically, Derulo delivered his biggest hits including Ridin' Solo, Swalla, and the TikTok sensation Savage Love. The crowd's energy peaked during these nostalgic moments, proving the enduring appeal of Derulo's back catalogue. Recent collaborations like Spicy Margarita with Michael Bublé, sampling Dean Martin's Sway, lacked the impact of his older material but remained catchy. The only significant dip in audience engagement occurred during an overly long outro of Marry Me, where Derulo lay on stage repeating refrains, prompting many to head for the bar.
Transition breaks featured medleys of songs Derulo wrote for other artists, such as Iyaz's Replay, which delighted the crowd. However, the inclusion of tracks like I Gotta Feeling, which he had no involvement with, felt misplaced and suggested a lack of confidence in his own material.
Artistic Identity Crisis Evident
The two-hour show presented a jarring contrast between meticulously rehearsed performances and seemingly haphazard production choices. Derulo told the audience this was 'The Last Dance', the tour's namesake, implying a farewell to his old self to embrace a new era. Yet, Sexy For Me felt quintessentially Derulo, leaving fans uncertain about his artistic direction. At 36, he retains his dance moves and hit-making ability, but the concert revealed an artist struggling to define his current identity.
While the nostalgic highs provided an enjoyable night out, the chaotic staging and inconsistent pacing undermined the overall experience. Derulo's strength lies in his infectious music that gets everyone on their feet, regardless of the oddities unfolding on stage. For those seeking a nostalgia-filled evening singing along to his name, the show delivers, but don't expect cohesive spectacle in the production design.
