Mimi Webb proves bubblegum pop has grit at O2 City Hall Newcastle - review and set list for Amelia tour

You wouldn't blame Mimi Webb for wishing she never plays a harder show in her life than the O2 City Hall in Newcastle on Monday evening.

Before the star has even stepped on stage, her live band is a man down with drummer James forced to miss the show thanks to illness.

Webb explains the missing drummer to fans with the timeless quip that "the show must go on" early in the evening, but it's just the first obstacle thrown her way in the 17-track set.

The star was forced to stop her set three times throughout the night as two fans fainted and another suffered a seizure while Webb played her powerhouse pop hits.

Handled with aplomb and empathy, Webb's stage presence is far beyond her 22 years. At one moment she stops the whole show to move fans back and breathe with her to calm proceedings down.

The 'Red Flags' singer has enjoyed quite the rise since the world has unravelled itself from the pandemic mess with viral online audiences transforming into sold-out venues - and Webb has been ready to grow with it.

One year ago the singer played a brilliant yet bashful set to 1,500 Geordie fans at Newcastle University Students Union and, 12 months on, there are 2,600 spectators lapping up every minute at the O2 City Hall.

There's nothing bashful about Webb now as she flourishes as a pop frontwoman to rival.

Her big chorus pop anthems pack a punch with big, bold colours lighting up the stage behind the star. Despite the lack of a drummer, Webb's live show continues to be one of the most immersive pop productions out there.

When the star released her debut album Amelia earlier this year, some critics turned their noses up at the bubblegum nature of the singer's pop sound but they were wrong to do so.

Monday night highlights include 'Freezing', 'Ghost of You' and '24/5' whose giddy-in-love stories are ever more endearing live.

Elsewhere, 'Good Without' prompts an anthemic response from the Newcastle crowd and a final flurry of 'Red Flags' and 'House on Fire' make for a pop repertoire the very best would be jealous of.

Mimi Webb setlist for the Amelia tour:

1. Ghost of You
2. Remind You
3. See You Soon
4. 24/5
5. Is It Possible
6. Halfway
7. Both of Us
8. Good Without
9. The Other Side
10. Freezing
11. Dumb Love
12. Amelia
13. Roles Reversed
14. Before I Go
15. Last Train to London
16. Red Flags
17. House on Fire