Leigh-Anne Pinnock at the Forum

It is a Saturday night at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, and Leigh-Anne Pinnock arrives with something to prove. Releasing her latest album, My Ego Told Me To, as an independent artist, the former member of one of the biggest girl groups in the world delivers a bold, intoxicating show built on reinvention.

Her arrival is anything but subtle. As the opening instrumental kicks in, a dancer takes centre stage, silhouetted in darkness and convincing enough to pass as the main event. Then, in a surprise reveal, the singer appears atop a staircase leading from the venue’s balcony. It lands as an immediate statement: Leigh-Anne Pinnock has arrived.

Walking through the crowd to join her dance partner centre stage, she immediately establishes herself as a fully realised solo artist – vocals unwavering, choreography razor-sharp, presence magnetic. The crowd doesn’t take long to respond, as chants of her name ring out after the opening number. It’s a level of command that shows she’s been doing this her whole life. Only now, she’s doing it alone.

Dead and Gone lands early, signalling a clear rebirth. Set against an industrial-style backdrop – caution tape, the illusion of shattered windows and pulsing red and green lighting – the performance leans into storytelling. As a recording of her The X Factor audition plays through the speakers, it is clear that tonight serves as a love letter to the past and an introduction to the future. Slowing things down, she drops to her knees at the front of the stage, allowing her vocals to take focus, before quickly getting back to business.

There’s a notable shift in sound. Moving beyond Little Mix, Leigh-Anne leans into a blend of R’n’B with Caribbean and reggae influences, carving out a distinct identity. As a member of one of the biggest girl groups in the world, Pinnock mastered polish and precision. Here she adds grit. “I needed to remind myself who the fuck I was,” she declares ahead of Revival, oozing with the confidence of an artist fully in control. The Jamaican-inspired Nature lands effortlessly, while softer moments such as R’n’B ballad Me Minus U showcase her vocal depth, with the latter prompting a sea of phone lights across the room. As the album comes alive on stage, the audience remains fully invested, absorbed in every moment.

Visually, the show is cohesive and well-thought-out. A dancer in black shadows Pinnock’s red, while costume changes – from trousers to skirt to shorts – mirror the set’s rising energy. The band remains tucked to the side, ensuring focus never shifts from the story unfolding. Despite a grungier visual, a thread of silliness remains, as fans are invited onstage for a dance-off and a social media assistant is later given a moment in the spotlight. There is a sense that both the artist and her team are enjoying their newfound freedom.

Interestingly, there are no Little Mix songs included in the set list. It’s a bold omission, but one that pays off. She doesn’t need them, and the crowd don’t mind as they embrace every moment. By the time the singer’s hit My Love brings the evening to an energetic close, the message is clear: Leigh-Anne Pinnock isn’t stepping out of a group’s shadow; she’s building a world entirely her own. And tonight, she proves that she isn’t playing it safe.