Jessie Reyez: Holding Nothing Back on the Paid In Memories Tour
By Talking to Jessie Reyez Ahead of Her Dublin Show
There’s something about Jessie Reyez that just hits different. Maybe it’s the honesty in her lyrics, the crackle of emotion in her voice, or the way she manages to be both wildly successful and totally down-to-earth. Whatever it is, it’s clear her music doesn’t just land — it stays with you.
This September, Jessie brings her Paid In Memories Tour to Dublin’s 3Olympia Theatre, and fans are in for a night that promises to be just as raw, powerful, and memorable as the artist herself. Following a whirlwind few years — from the global success of her Yessie tour, to opening for Sam Smith and Jhené Aiko in arenas across North America, to releasing her latest album Paid In Memories with an all-star lineup of collaborators —
Jessie is still pushing boundaries, still telling her truth, and still doing it her way.
We caught up with her ahead of her upcoming Dublin show to talk music, poetry, performing live, and what keeps her grounded in the middle of it all.
Jessie it’s great to get the chance to talk with you, the last few years have been crazy — headlining your Yessie tour, opening for Sam Smith and Jhené Aiko, releasing a bestselling poetry book, and now Paid in Memories. How do you stay grounded and creative when everything’s moving so fast?
I meditate. I pray. I keep loved ones close. I drink a lot of water. Also, I like to do things
rhythmically. For example, there are musicians who still record music while they are on tour, to me that’s not sustainable and personally I don’t love to do that. Luckily because of my high output (I’m a studio rat when I’m off tour), I don’t have the pressure of doing that either because I have a Dropbox folder that’s perpetually ready to burst with thousands of songs that my 3 fans in Ireland have yet to receive.
Paid In Memories feels like such an evolution from Yessie. What inspired this new album, and how did you choose collaborators like Lil Wayne, Ari Lennox, and Sam Smith to bring your vision to life?
The album was inspired by life. It was one of those projects that you just blindly make and then slowly it starts telling you what it wants to be. The color yellow felt right to carry it forward because it elicits an oxymoron of an emotional experience. It’s universally representative of happiness but also particularly known for indicating caution. At this point in my life, I respect caution, but I’ve also fallen in love with running towards fear. So, it just felt right. As to having Ari, Wayne and Sam, again, it just felt right.
Following on from the above question You’ve worked with so many legends already— is there someone unexpected or outside your usual genre that you’d love to collaborate with one day?
The elusive Frank Ocean.
You’ve contributed to soundtracks for Rebel Moon and Bob Marley: One Love — how does that process differ from making your own records? Does stepping into someone else’s world change your approach?
It’s much more restrictive, which I don’t love. But boxes force you to come up with different solutions, so I appreciate that element of getting out of my comfort zone and challenging my natural tendencies to be more free flowing regarding my art verses creating for someone else.
From your Figures breakthrough to now having over 3 billion streams, sold-out tours, and a poetry bestseller — what achievement still makes you pinch yourself?
Anytime I’m in a city that is far from home and I hear a choir of people singing back songs that used to make me cry when I wrote them but now make me smile when I hear everyone’s voice…those moments make me pinch myself.
When you’re not on stage or in the studio, what brings you peace or helps you recharge creatively?
Nature and family time. Lakes. Oceans. Horses. Hug from my folks.
You’ve played some of the world’s biggest festivals and now you’re headlining intimate venues like the 3Olympia. Do you have a preference between those massive stages and the more close-up, emotional shows?
No preference. Boffum. Big shows because the energy is palpable in a gargantuan way. And intimate shows because the energy is palpable in a quantum way.
Lastly, if you could send one message directly to your Dublin fans ahead of the show — what would you want to say to them?
Thank you for letting my songs find a home in the heart of a stranger so far away from home. If I’ve ever scored a memory for you, you’ve also scored a memory for me. <3 love
As Jessie Reyez gears up to bring her Paid In Memories Tour to Dublin, it’s clear she’s still all heart — honest, fearless, and deeply connected to the music and the people who listen to it. From writing poetry to lighting up stages around the world, she continues to grow while staying grounded in what matters most. Whether you’re a day-one fan or just catching on, her show at the 3Olympia is set to be something special.
Jessie, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us — we can’t wait to welcome you to Dublin.
