Spotify has brought Jorja Smith, Nemzzz and beabadoobee back to their hometowns for a series of intimate performances, celebrating the communities and people who helped shape their musical journeys.
Titled "Hometown," the new live music initiative saw the three artists return to Walsall, Manchester and London throughout September, reconnecting with the places where their careers first began and performing in front of some of their most dedicated fans.
For Jorja Smith, the series marked a return to Walsall, the West Midlands town where she first discovered her passion for music. Taking to the stage at Walsall Arena, the singer was joined by longtime friend Wesley Joseph and the Blue Lights Choir, which she established through The Jorja Smith Foundation to create opportunities for young people in the local community.
"Walsall is where I first started writing and recording music as a teenager. It's where my love of music began and the people, experiences and sense of community there continue to influence my creativity today," Smith explained. "It's home, home is where my heart is and home is where I found my voice!"
Meanwhile, Manchester rapper Nemzzz returned to the city that has remained central to his identity and music. Having built his career while continuing to champion his hometown, the performance celebrated the local creative scene and the fans who have supported his rise.
"I've never felt like I needed to move away from the city to make things happen," Nemzzz said. "That's why "Hometown" is exciting to me. It's another chance to celebrate Manchester, but also to celebrate how far everything has come."
In London, beabadoobee revisited the city where she began playing small shows, finding her sound and building a community around her music. Her performance brought her back together with longstanding fans, offering a more personal experience than the larger stages she has become accustomed to.
"London has always felt like home to me, it's where I started finding my people, making music, playing tiny shows and figuring out what I wanted to do, so "Hometown" feels really special," she explained.
Beyond the performances, Spotify worked alongside each artist to support community-led initiatives aimed at giving back to young people in their respective cities, including contributions to local youth organisations.
Each homecoming was also captured through two accompanying films, combining live performance footage with a closer look at the artists' personal connections to their cities. Jorja Smith's return was documented by Manchester-based director KC Locke, while Tommy D worked on beabadoobee's London instalment and creative duo DONPROD captured Nemzzz in Manchester.
With the performances now wrapped up, all three artists' concert films and accompanying documentaries are available to watch exclusively on Spotify.
