CHART-TOPPING pop star Jessie J was on fine form as she brought the third Chester Rocks festival to a spectacular climax in front of the event’s biggest ever crowd.
Fans flocked to Chester Racecourse on Saturday and Sunday to enjoy what was arguably the strongest ever line-up for the festival.
Sporting her new blonde cropped hairstyle, the singer took to the stage in Chester on Sunday just 24 hours after the four finalists were revealed on The Voice on BBC 1 on Saturday night.
And her finalist Matt Henry, whose day job is at a dog rescue centre, joined his mentor on stage halfway through her set to sing to his largest crowd ever.
Jessie said: “I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed working with him and how much of a nice guy he is – and I say that because not everyone you meet in this industry is nice.”
BBC cameras were filming Matt’s appearance in Chester for Saturday’s final on BBC 1.
There was also a special birthday treat for a Jessie fan in the Golden Circle – the star signed his T-shirt before singing a special rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’.
Saturday saw The Wanted return to Chester Rocks, having taken part in the first event two years ago.
Quirky gifts thrown on stage by fans included a signed bra, which was picked up by the band’s Nathan Sykes.
They headlined a day which also saw performances from rising stars Union J, hotly tipped to grab the teenybopper crown from One Direction.
Other artists in action on day one were chart-topping A*M*E, The Vamps featuring Chester’s James McVey and Ollie Marland.
Day two’s line-up included pop band Lawson, Scarlett’s Roses, Charlie Brown and 2011 X Factor finalist Amelia Lily.
Richard Thomas, chief executive of the racecourse, said: “The weekend was a great success. This is Chester Rocks third year and we are seeing growth which is key. Putting on an event like Rocks is not easy, especially when we are dictated to by racing fixtures and compete directly with well established events, such as the Isle of Wight Festival which was on at the same time.
“On Sunday we saw our biggest ever crowd at the event. We are delighted we were able to attract Lawson, who played at the Isle of Wight Festival the previous night but were determined to play here, as well as one of the UK’s biggest artists, Jessie J, to Chester, despite her busy TV schedule and her pushing back her own tour.
“The Race Company really does need the support of Chester to make sure we keep this event moving forward as it will be a great attribute to the Capital of Culture bid for 2017.”
The event proved popular with VIP tickets sold out for both days as were the golden circle and dual tickets.
