On a Labour Day Monday, Nashville singer-songwriter Jessie Murph came back to Montreal as part of her World Hysteria tour, playing a sold-out MTelus to promote her second studio album, Sex Hysteria.
Since it was September 1, we had to make our way through hundreds of Frosh partying around St. Catherine — some of whom ended up inside MTelus to see one of the biggest rising stars in country, pop… and R&B… and a little bit of trap too. Murph, who’s often called a genreless artist, was ready to give a performance worthy of the 2,000+ people who got there early, all hoping to get a little closer to their favourite artist.
The night started with Sabrina Sterling from San Diego, California. She stepped onstage for a fully acoustic set — just her and a guitar at the mic. Her acoustic pop, soft and intimate, reminded me a lot of Lizzy McAlpine, with tender vocals and relatable themes. She sang about love and heartbreak, and how in your late teens a failed relationship can feel like the end of the world. It really connected with the young audience, some of whom had signs saying it was their first concert ever. It was a super intimate set, her voice carrying the room. At just 20, with nothing flashy on stage besides her six strings, Sterling let her music speak for itself.
Around 9:05, the lights dimmed and a single spotlight hit the centre of a stage decked out like an old cabaret. The piano, light fixtures, and floor were pastel pink, framed by a vintage red curtain. An old recording played through the PA while four dancers, dressed as 1950s gangsters, ran around the stage in a playful heist routine. The crowd chanted “Murph! Murph! Murph!” until finally, Jessie appeared — centre stage in a studded champagne two-piece with a short cape sleeve. Bold and effortless, she had clear Elvis vibes: voluminous beehive hair like Priscilla Presley, and an outfit that could’ve been designed by “The King” himself.
She kicked off her set with “Gucci Mane,” the lead single from her album, which samples the rapper’s classic “Lemonade.” The show felt like a vintage cabaret with a twist — gymnastics and cheerleading moves thrown in. She didn’t interact with the crowd much, but it never felt distant. She was just focused on delivering a well-planned, high-energy show.
Later, she performed “Donuts,” her collab with Gucci Mane. At one point, she climbed onto a dancer’s shoulders as he carried her through the crowd, balancing like she was riding a human Segway. Fans raised their phones, voices merging with hers — probably the loudest the crowd got all night.
She closed with “Blue Strips,” her biggest hit so far, which reached #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year. It’s heavier on trap than her other material, which makes sense given how popular the genre is with her young fans.
For the finale, she did the classic confetti drop… but with a twist. Instead of regular confetti, she showered the crowd with dollar bills printed with her face. Everyone on the floor got a cheeky little souvenir — good luck trying to cash those in for a hotdog at Belle Province right after.
At just 20, Jessie Murph completely owned the MTelus stage. Talking to someone on her team, they said her Montreal numbers are some of the highest, so coming back was a no-brainer. Montreal loves country, trap, and R&B, and she had something for everyone. Watching her performance, seeing how packed the place was, I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s playing Bell Centre sooner rather than later.
Review & photos – Andres Amaya
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