What to expect at Jessie Reyez’s A Little Vengeance Tour: Setlist, start time, merch and more

If the name Jessie Reyez doesn’t ring a bell, her melodies probably will. Ferociously spunky with a sugary-sweet voice and slick, sharp flow, the Canadian R&B artist has spent the better part of a decade building her name and her devoted following. She would probably be playing sold-out arena shows if it weren’t for the COVID-19 pandemic causing a temporary plateau in her rise to fame. 

She came out strong with her debut album, Before Love Came to Kill Us, and though her subsequent records Yessie and Paid in Memories flew relatively under the radar, receiving comparatively less mainstream attention, Reyez’s newest album, A LITTLE VENGEANCE, has brought her back with — well — more than a little vengeance. A breakup album that effectively eviscerates an ex-lover through catchy hooks and clever wordsmithing, its central theme is liberation from torrid, unhealthy relationships. Her live shows, therefore, are nothing short of cathartic.

Reyez’s “A LITTLE VENGEANCE” tour kicked off on Tuesday night, November 3, at the sold-out WAMU Theater in Seattle. Spanning 13 dates across North America, Reyez will conclude her fiery run with a homecoming show in Toronto, ON, on November 24. Here’s everything that went down at her Seattle show, including a first look at her tour merch and setlist.

What a Jessie Reyez “A Little Vengeance” concert is actually like

At every single one of her concerts, Jessie Reyez sets three rules for the audience.

One: This is a no-shame zone. Dance your heart out like nobody's watching, or stand quietly and enjoy the show at your own speed. Whatever you do, Jessie wants you to be yourself, shamelessly.

Two: Leave the concert sounding like an 80-year-old smoker. In other words, get loud: sing, scream and don't hold back.

Three: Make the show a symbiotic experience. Give her your all, and she'll give you hers. The goal is to leave feeling better than when you arrived.

Ultimately, Reyez made sure her concert was welcoming to all ages and walks of life. She fluidly interacted with the audience, and her promise of symbiosis came through; the audience supported her right back, singing along to every lyric and hanging on her every word. At many points throughout the night, the music purposefully cut out entirely, and the audience just kept singing, filling the vast cavern of the WAMU with their voices. She gave the crowd everything she had, and they happily returned the favor.

Who opened for Jessie Reyez?

Toronto-based R&B artist Faiza opened Tuesday night’s show at 8:09 p.m., walking onstage into what she described as the largest venue she’d ever performed in. Though her nerves were on display, Faiza embraced them, overcoming first-night jitters with a 30-minute set of honey-smooth vocals and unrelenting positive energy, wholeheartedly fitting to introduce Reyez’s emotionally charged R&B. She isn’t the only opening act on the tour bill, with two other Toronto artists — Kalisway and Adria Kain — joining Reyez at later points in the tour. Be sure to arrive on time to catch their sets.

When did Jessie Reyez start? What was her setlist?

Reyez came out onstage at the WAMU Theater around 9:10 p.m., playing until about 10:37 p.m. for a total runtime of just under 90 minutes.

Her Seattle setlist was a generous mix of old and new, and it was clear from the outset that the night was going to be an emotional roller coaster. Starting off humbly, Reyez first appeared onstage sitting in a chair backlit by white light and wielding nothing but an acoustic guitar for “Figures,” her defining breakout song that has gone platinum over and over. But, the energy was quickly ramped up, as she set the stage ablaze with hits from her new album, weaving them in seamlessly with her sharp-edged breakup anthems and vulnerable, relatable confessions. 

Some highlights of the night included “UR HEARTBEAT (WHO DO U THINK ABOUT AT 2AM?)” in which she mixed in a sample from Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name” — a particularly satisfying moment for anyone who grew up with the original — and a remix of “JEANS” with Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain.”

Here’s the full setlist, in order:

1. Figures

2. CRUMBLE

3. EGO ATROPHY

4. Dear Yessie

5. Imported

6. RIDIN

7. Body Count

8. JEANS

9. BEGGIN 4 LUV

10. JEANS mixed with Rihanna’s “Love on the Brain”

11. GOLIATH

12. STILL C U

13. iBREAK

14. MUTUAL FRIEND

15. UR HEARTBEAT (WHO DO U THINK ABOUT AT 2AM?) mixed with Destiny’s Child’s “Say My Name”

16. QUEEN ST. W

17. F*** YOU JESSIE

18. PALO SANTO / Suavemente

19. N.Y.F.F

20. DUSTY / No Scrubs (TLC cover)

21. CUDN’T B ME

22. AIN’T U TIRED?

23. SALT

24. 99%

Encore

1. BEFORE LOVE CAME TO KILL US

What did the stage and production look like?

Reyez’s stage setup was straightforward, with two raised platforms at the back of the stage housing her band, with screens layered across the different surfaces. She spent most of the show on the main platform, occasionally making her way to the back risers to jam with her talented, tight band. The screens cycled through visuals of flames, rushing water, abstract clouds and bold washes of orange and red.

During “N.Y.F.F,” a large swing set was brought out onstage, adding a playful theatrical element for Reyez to utilize during a more vulnerable point in the night. Some of the AI-generated visuals featuring Reyez herself were, perhaps, a little unnecessary, given that her music is perfectly bold in its own right and hardly in need of embellishment. Still, the production overall reflected the emotional intensity of her set. 

What were fans wearing? 

Reyez’s fans came dressed to impress, but didn’t sacrifice comfort for the occasion. Mini skirts, tastefully baggy jeans, stylish jackets, glittery tops and comfortable jerseys were the prevailing uniform aside from her merch. The general aesthetic was glammed-up and put-together, but prepared to move and shake. 

What does Jessie Reyez’s tour merch look like?

Jessie Reyez’s tour merch offered two styles of T-shirts ($45), a jersey-style shirt ($70), a pullover hoodie and a zip-up hoodie ($100), a baby tee ($40), tote bags ($30) and a baseball cap ($35). The merch line was relatively long before the show started, with an estimated wait time of about 15-20 minutes. The line completely deteriorated when her set started, so make sure to plan accordingly. Thankfully, the WAMU is an easy venue to navigate, and it doesn’t take long to get from the lobby back to your seat. 

Is a Jessie Reyez show family-friendly?

A handful of families with younger children were in attendance at Reyez’s Seattle show, but parents should know what they’re signing up for. She does not shy away from adult subject matter, and her music is peppered with explicit lyrics and colorful expletives. Consider her shows PG-13. 

What attending a Jessie Reyez concert at WAMU was like

The WAMU Theater is a large black-box theater with an expansive open floor, moveable risers and the ability to mold to the needs of an audience. For Tuesday’s performance, there was no general admission floor; all seats were assigned, even if people were up and out of them for most of the night. Security was a well-oiled machine, with doors opening promptly at 7 p.m. and the somewhat long lines moving very quickly.

After 7 p.m., entry was pretty much instantaneous. Because the Seattle show only offered assigned seating rather than an open general admission floor, there was not the same incentive to arrive hours ahead of time to snag a spot; rather, the main reason to get there early is to grab some merch. 

What is assigned seating at WAMU like?

WAMU assigned seating is easy to navigate, and you’ll stand a chance of getting a good view of the show no matter where you are considering how expansive the indoor space is. The risers in the back provide a more unobstructed view of the stage, while the seats on the floor put you closer to the action but might require some neck-craning. All photos in this article were taken from Seat 2 in Row 30 of Section D, on the left-hand side of the WAMU. The seat was about medium-distance from the stage, with easy access to the aisle and the ability to pop out to the lobby bar, merch table or concession stand without missing too much of the show.

How should I get to WAMU?

For getting down to WAMU Theater, play it safe and follow the same protocol as if you were heading to Lumen Field for a Seahawks game or T-Mobile Park to see the Mariners. Take the Link Light Rail, if you can, and get off at Pioneer Square, the International District/Chinatown stop, or the Stadium stop. All of these options will involve a 10-15 minute walk to get to Occidental Ave S — and keep in mind that the light rail stops running after midnight. The King County bus line is also a good option, with over 15 bus routes that stop within a few blocks of Lumen Field. 

Parking is available on-site at Lumen Field starting at $20, but make sure to check the rates ahead of time — they can fluctuate wildly depending on what’s going down at the stadiums. Bike parking is also available in the North Lot near Occidental Ave S and at the end of the Event Center off of Royal Brougham Way. 

How can I get tickets on SeatGeek for an upcoming Jessie Reyez concert?

If you’re ready to experience A Little Vengeance yourself, head to Jessie Reyez’s ticket page on SeatGeek to find an upcoming date near you. Once you’ve selected a city, use the interactive seating map to compare available tickets, explore different sections and find the best bang for your buck. Once you’re happy with your choices, hit “checkout,” and get ready for a night of complete catharsis.