Jade teases bold new album and festival headline ambitions
Jade told NME her next record will be brave and bold, built around authenticity rather than chasing what the masses want. She recalled her first Reading set as a career highlight and said headlining Reading & Leeds and Glastonbury are dreams. Asked about Glastonbury 2027, she said fingers crossed.
Jade Thirlwall, formerly of Little Mix, discussed her second solo record at the Mercury Prize ceremony in Newcastle, where her debut, That’s Showbiz Baby!, was nominated but lost to Raye. She said the follow-up remains in early development, with summer writing sessions alongside Mike Sabbath and planned Los Angeles work to shape its sound.
She described her first Reading appearance as a personal milestone and one of her favorite festival performances of the year. She also named Reading & Leeds and Glastonbury headline slots as ambitions, and said she hopes to return to Glastonbury in 2027 after a particularly meaningful prior set.
Jade’s emphasis on authenticity could resonate with fans navigating pressure to follow trends, while her festival ambitions may encourage promoters to consider more pop artists for headline slots. A new album and possible Glastonbury return could affect live-music audiences, travel and spending plans, and the broader pop landscape by reinforcing demand for candid, performance-driven solo careers.