Playing the first gig in Newcastle since the Manchester's Terror Attack - local singer Channy lived up to her headline billing at O2 Academy
she's played arenas and huge outdoor gigs to crowds of nearly 40,000 but the smaller confines of the O2 Academy played host to perhaps the biggest moment in Newcastle singer Channy Thompson's career to date.
The local lass with big dreams has worked tirelessly over the past few years building a fanbase and getting her name out there and after a difficult week for the whole country following the horrifc terror attack in Manchester, Channy urged her crowd to unite in music as she headlined the famous Westagte Road venue, following in the footsteps of Adele, Sam Smith and many more.
And with a a setlist that conjured up pougnant reflection and party vibes in equal measure, she got the tone exactly right.
Channy even admitted what should have been a massive week for her was filled with sadness to the point where she felt guiltyfor being excited at having her name in lights above the Academy door.
But just like the people of Manchester and ther wider UK, Channy showed great spirit and heart to apy tribute to the victims of an atrocity that has shaken everyone to the core.
It seemed fitting that it was a local singer who performed the first big gig on Tyneside since the terror attack and no one has more passion than Channy.
Opening with a full throttle take on Little Mix's Salute, Channy transformed the Academy into her arena with confetti cannons, burstsof fireworks, dancers and a children's choir all helping to make the show worthy of its headline status.
Not if course that Channy needed it. She has real presence and a determination that is rightly an inspiration to many young performersin the region.
While she's constantly helping others realise their dreams, Friday night was all about her.
Originals Think Twice and superb Tears showed that Channy's songwriting has a lot of potential while passion laden covers of Who You Are and Halo couldn't fail to put a lump in your throat, especially after evrything that's happened in the past week.
Channy spoke of her sadness that many of her young fans were too scared to attend after what happened in Manchester, but all who there paid their respects not with silence but with lit up phones and cheers for the victims, including four from home turf.
The night's final song I Believe spoke volumes about the attitude not just of the people of Manchester and the country right now but of the girl standing in the spotlight in Newcastle.
Channy's star continues to rise and rise; where wll it take her next?