JADE becomes the angel of Belfast's dreams as UK tour kicks off

In this photo, JADE is on stage at Glastonbury. She is singing holding a microphone in one hand and her other arm extended out. She is standing in front of stage risers, wearing a t-shirt that says "GLASTO".Getty Images

This will be the first time JADE has played a solo concert in Belfast

Alexandra Rosbotham
BBC News NI

Excitement had been mounting among fans of JADE as she kicked off her first ever UK solo tour in Belfast on Thursday night.

She performed her debut album "That's Showbiz, Baby!" which she released last month.

The singer, whose full name is Jade Thirlwall, last played in Belfast more than three years ago, where she performed as part of girl group Little Mix.

They announced that the pop outfit would "take a break" after completing their "Confetti" tour in 2022.

On the left, a young man sits in front of a large wooden door. He is smiling, wearing a black "Gracie Abrams" hoodie and he has brown hair with a fringe covering his forehead. On the right, the same man is pictured with a woman with long black curly hair and is wearing a red cap.BBC / Handout

Hayden from Londonderry met JADE after her show in Dublin earlier in the week and then travelled straight to Belfast to get into the queue

Fans travelled far and wide to see JADE take to the stage again and ahead of the Ulster Hall gig, queues of revellers lined up outside the venue.

Hayden, 17, from Derry was the first one in the queue on Thursday at 07:30 BST.

"Being right up the front is so much more personal so I got here as early as I could".

Hayden made the journey to Dublin to see JADE perform there also, adding: "I got to meet her last night after her show. She's incredible, it was kind of a blur."

'She always puts on a show'

A young woman sitting outside of a building, leaning between a painted grey wall and wooden doors. She has straight, brown hair with blonde highlights.

Laura waiting on the steps outside of Ulster Hall on Thursday morning

Laura, 21, from Bangor has been a fan of Little Mix and JADE since primary school.

"This will be my seventh time seeing her. She always puts on a show, amazing costumes, sets, dancers. I'm excited to see what she has in store".

But not all of those waiting to see JADE were familiar with Belfast, with some committed members of her fanbase travelling hundreds of miles to attend the Belfast gig.

Fans from far and wide

A young woman smiles at the camera, with long dark wavy hair and is wearing a cream coloured zip up jacket.

Vera has come all the way from Portugal to Belfast

Vera, 25, from Portugal came specifically to see JADE perform in Northern Ireland.

"I saw Little Mix at their last show in 2022, this is the first time I'll see her since they split up.

"I came from so far away that I had to get here early to be in the front row. I am crazy about her!".

Two young girls stand in front of the Ulster Hall. Both are smiling, with the girl on the left wearing a black leather jacket and a cross body bag. Her hair is a long, wavy dark brown. The girl on the right is wearing a brown leather jacket, with long wavy hair a lighter shade of ginger-brown.

Guilia (left) and Giada (right) are visiting Belfast for the first time

Guilia, 18, came from Italy to see JADE at the first night of her UK tour for her birthday, alongside her girlfriend Giada, 18.

"It's my girlfriend's first ever concert and I've been waiting five years to see her. We're really excited.

"I think her new album is a true piece of art, Angel of my Dreams is what I'm looking forward to hearing most", she told BBC News NI.

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