Джорджа Смит вернулась в родной Уолсолл для интимного концерта в рамках новой серии Spotify Hometown

JORJA SMITH returned to the West Midlands last night for an intimate homecoming performance in Birmingham, marking the first live show in Spotify Hometown, a new series celebrating the places, people and communities that shape artists long before the rest of the world discovers them. Raised in nearby Walsall, Smith performed at Walsall Arena for an intimate 600 audience, including some of her most dedicated listeners, invited by Spotify to experience the one-night-only show..  The performance came shortly after the release of Smith’s new album, ‘What Are The Odds’, and saw her perform ‘Blue Lights’, ‘Teenage Fantasy’, ‘I Lied You Lied’, ‘For Life’, ‘Greatest Gift’ ft Blue Lights Choir, ‘Dancing’, alongside fan favourites from across her career. The Birmingham show followed ‘Made in Walsall’, a special community event held in  Smith’s hometown on September 5, as part of Spotify Hometown. Created as a celebration of the creativity, talent and community spirit of Walsall and the surrounding area, ‘Made in Walsall’ brought together local artists, changemakers and community organisations with the aim of creating stronger connections and networks across the town.  Presented in collaboration with The Blue Lights Choir, the evening featured performances from the choir and emerging talent from the Walsall area, alongside a participatory community mural workshop led by artist Yasmin Agilah.  Guests were invited to contribute to the artwork throughout the evening, creating a collective piece shaped by the community itself. Local independent caterer The Hidden Chef also created a bespoke menu for the event from its Caribbean Smokehouse. Together, ‘Made in Walsal’l and Smith’s Birmingham performance brought the idea behind Hometown to life, celebrating not only an artist’s return home, but the wider creative community and culture that helped shape them. Smith’s relationship with Walsall has remained an important thread throughout her career. Through Hometown, Spotify sought to recognise that connection by creating something that extended beyond a single performance and put the local community at the heart of the project.  Last night’s Birmingham performance was also captured on film and will become an exclusive Spotify concert film, giving listeners around the world the opportunity to experience  Smith’s homecoming. The film will premiere on Spotify in September.  Smith marks the first of three artists taking part in the inaugural Spotify Hometown series. Nemzzz will return to Manchester on September 12, followed by Beabadoobee in West London on September 17, with each edition built around the artist’s individual relationship with the place that helped shape them.