Concert Review & Q+A: Ella’s epic evening

★★★★★★

Ella Mai is a young singer who has already gathered quite a haul, be it critical acclaim, Grammy nominations or a great debut album.

And on January 21, the London artist brought one of her country-mates along for the ride and they really put on a show at Store Vega.

The complete package
Warm-up act Jvck James brought comparable charisma to Copenhagen – read our interview with the 20-year-old talent below – so by the time Ella came on stage, the audience were buzzing.

Jvck James worked some magic before Mai took to the stage. As the song goes this young talent is on his way. Only 20 years of age with several successful, streaming singles. Read our interview with him below.

She proceeded to nail the show with showmanship, a great band and talented back-up singers. 

Not a wasted note
You left the show thinking she has no bad songs – it was just degrees of good. Getting to hear them live was the icing on the cake. You really appreciate the work she puts into her craft.

Breakout single ‘Boo’d Up’ and the sultry ‘Naked’ got the loudest reactions on the night.


Q&A with Jvck James:

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from life experiences – I have good people around me. Like, for example, everyone’s experiences when I’m in the studio – what I feel like at that time.

You are part of a tight-knit group?

Kind of, but when I go to the studio it’ll be just me and a producer. And depending on how I feel that day – we’ll start a beat based on the music.

So it’s organic?

Real organic – start with the melodies, or if I have a lyric in my head already, then go from there.

Where did it start for you musically?

My mom said I sang before I could talk. I always used to sing in the car when I was younger. And then I got exposed to Michael Jackson and Usher – great R&B. I got obsessed with it. When you put on a Michael Jackson song you just want to dance.

How did you decide to make music full-time?

I’ve always wanted it to be my job – since I was young. I didn’t want to do anything else.

Ashley Verse



  • Diplomatic tensions between US and Denmark after spying rumors

    Diplomatic tensions between US and Denmark after spying rumors

    A Wall Street Journal article describes that the US will now begin spying in Greenland. This worries the Danish foreign minister, who wants an explanation from the US’s leading diplomat. Greenlandic politicians think that Trump’s actions increase the sense of insecurity

  • Diplomacy meets Westeros: a dinner with the King, Queen – and Jaime Lannister

    Diplomacy meets Westeros: a dinner with the King, Queen – and Jaime Lannister

    What do King Frederik X, Queen Mary, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Jaime Lannister have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a very specific Shakespeare-meets-HBO fanfiction — it was just Wednesday night in Denmark

  • Huge boost to halt dropouts from vocational education

    Huge boost to halt dropouts from vocational education

    For many years, most young people in Denmark have preferred upper secondary school (Gymnasium). Approximately 20 percent of a year group chooses a vocational education. Four out of 10 young people drop out of a vocational education. A bunch of millions aims to change that

  • Beloved culture house saved from closure

    Beloved culture house saved from closure

    At the beginning of April, it was reported that Kapelvej 44, a popular community house situated in Nørrebro, was at risk of closing due to a loss of municipality funding

  • Mette Frederiksen: “If you harm the country that is hosting you, you shouldn’t be here at all”

    Mette Frederiksen: “If you harm the country that is hosting you, you shouldn’t be here at all”

    With reforms to tighten the rules for foreigners in Denmark without legal residency, and the approval of a reception package for internationals working in the care sector, internationals have been under the spotlight this week. Mette Frederiksen spoke about both reforms yesterday.

  • Tolerated, but barely: inside Denmark’s departure centers

    Tolerated, but barely: inside Denmark’s departure centers

    Currently, around 170 people live on “tolerated stay” in Denmark, a status for people who cannot be deported but are denied residency and basic rights. As SOS Racisme draws a concerning picture of their living conditions in departure centers, such as Kærshovedgård, they also suggest it might be time for Denmark to reinvent its policies on deportation

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.