The festive season officially kicked off with a bang as Capital's Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard 2025 returned to London's The O2 arena for its first night on Saturday 6th December. Transforming the iconic venue into the UK's biggest Christmas party, the event saw a staggering 16,000 fans gather for a line-up packed with world-class talent and surprise appearances.
Headline Acts and Show-Stopping Performances
The night was bookended by two major British stars. Anne-Marie opened the proceedings, dressed like a Christmas present, and launched into her nostalgic hit '2002'. At the other end of the evening, Ed Sheeran delivered a masterful closing set. Armed with just a guitar and loop pedal, he performed nine tracks, culminating in the chart-topping 'Bad Habits', which had the entire arena on its feet.
In between, the hits kept coming. Leigh-Anne made history as the record-breaking Baller, performing at her eighth Capital Ball. She treated the crowd to a heartfelt Little Mix medley of 'Sweet Melody', 'Touch', and 'Power', dedicating it to her former bandmates. She also gave the first live performance of her powerful solo single 'Dead and Gone'. Meanwhile, RAYE showcased her family's incredible talent, bringing her sisters ABSOLUTELY and AMMA on stage for stunning duets of each other's songs.
Surprise Guests and Nostalgic Returns
True to Jingle Bell Ball tradition, the night featured thrilling surprise acts. The noughties called when boy band Five emerged as the Barclaycard Out Of The Blue performance, energising the crowd with classics like 'Keep On Moving'. Another blast from the past came from Rizzle Kicks, whose iconic tracks 'Mamma Do The Hump' and 'Down With The Trumpets' proved their timeless appeal, getting everyone dancing 14 years after their release.
The event also served as a platform for rising stars. Alessi Rose, the first-ever Capital Buzz artist, impressed with her single before delivering a flawless and crowd-awing cover of Gwen Stefani's 'What You Waiting For?'.
High Stakes and High Energy Off-Stage
The excitement wasn't confined to the main stage. In a nerve-shredding live segment, a Capital Breakfast listener went head-to-head with 'The Bong Man' in front of the 16,000-strong audience. Showing nerves of steel, she defeated him to win £1,850, narrowly missing out on the £4,000 jackpot.
With night one setting an incredibly high bar, attention now turns to Sunday 7th December for night two. The party continues with a line-up promising more festive fireworks, featuring the likes of Jessie J, Alex Warren, and Louis Tomlinson. Fans unable to attend can catch all the action and highlights live on Global Player and Capital's YouTube channel.
