The second UK stop on his Nu King world tour, Jason Derulo brings energy to Cardiff’s Utilita Arena, sweet-talking fans and boogieing the Tuesday evening away. The crowd – groups of teenage girls, couples and day-one fans mature enough to remember the release of 2009-to-2011 classics Whatcha Say, Ridin’ Solo and Don’t Wanna Go Home – is warmed up by afrobeats top dog, Afro B, best known for his club tune Drogba.
A 10-minute countdown on screen provokes roars from the excited crowd before hitting zero, and the Florida-born headliner takes to the stage with late-00s smash hit, and arguably the crowd’s favourite track of the night, Whatcha Say. With a roster of pop and r’n’b dance hits and love songs to choose from, Derulo made a good selection for this setlist, pleasing the crowd with familiar anthems – the likes of The Other Side, In My Head, Trumpets and Swalla – and songs from Nu King, his first album in nine years, including Spanish-inspired tracks Acapulco and Sexy Margarita. “These songs are my babies,” he tells us.
The part-time TikToker encourages the crowd to get their well-rehearsed moves out and swing their hips along to viral sensation Savage Love. With a nod to his home island Haiti, Jason performs his 2022 kompa hit Ayo Girl and declares Mad Love – a tune about how time heals everything – his favourite Nu King track.
The setlist is broken up by dance routines and short scene performances illustrating the personal stories behind Derulo’s songs (an argument with a partner, for example), and the choreography makes for an electrifying show. From splits, spins and moonwalks to raunchy routines, the dance squad’s energy never dips, and even while delivering stellar vocals Derulo is in sync with the routines. His vocal talent is particularly noteworthy in a dramatic performance of the slower, emotionally charged Cheyenne, which he sings against a toned-down, blackout stage set.
Stripped out of the silver-studded leather blazer, racer jacket and black fur gown he sported throughout, Derulo takes a topless lap around the crowd, jumping into Talk Dirty once back onstage, safe from our reaches and love declarations. Giving him a chance to catch a breath, audience members carry the chorus, slaying every lyric: “Been around the world, don’t speak the language / But your booty don’t need explaining…”
Charming and flirty as ever, the pop heartthrob makes fans feel special with smooth renditions of Want To Want Me and It Girl, and throws in some local charm, commanding: “Sing to me in that Cardiff accent!” He says it’s been too long since he’s been here, and promises it won’t be so long until he’s back.
Jason Derulo, Utilita Arena Cardiff, Tue 5 Mar
words EVE DAVIES photos OWIN WONG
