James Bay

The Institute, Birmingham on Sat 18th Apr 2015

James Bay has come from nowhere to be the best thing since sliced bread, the young singer-songwriter from Hitchin, won the Critic's Choice Award at the Brits, an accolade previously won by Sam Smith and Tom Odell, this seems to have catapulted him into the public eye.

Donning his famous black hat everywhere, which seems to have become his trade mark, 'Hold Back The River' from eagerly awaited first album 'The Chaos And The Calm', has become Bay's signature tune and shows his prowess as a vocalist and the maturity in his gravelly, silky smooth tones.

I did buy the album this week to see what all the fuss was about. After four constant plays in the car and listening to the album over a three day period, I can see why people like Bay. I could listen to the album with ease and his voice was like the cup of Horlicks or hot chocolate you have last thing at night, you look forward to it cause it tops your day off and it makes you feel comfortable and happy, this is how I feel listening to this album.

No one can say anything bad about this guy, now I fully understand. Tonight's gig sold out a long time ago, so tickets were changing hands for stupid money.

Since this ten date tour was announced, Bay has subsequently announced more live dates for later in the year, which again are selling like hot cakes.

The set tonight was short and sweet and so to the point, only twelve songs!

Kicking off with the wonderful 'Collide', followed by 'Craving' and one of my favourites off the album 'When We Were on Fire'.

It's hard to understand where Bay came from, out of obscurity in to the limelight, I wasn't complaining as he has the voice of an angel, gravelly voiced, I could've listened all night.

The beautiful 'If You Ever Want To Be in Love' and cracking 'Need The Sun To Break', both had the audience wanting more.

'Running', 'Let it Go', 'Move Together', 'Scars' and 'Best Fake Smile' closed the set. (With some acoustic versions thrown in the mix for good measure).

The Encore was music to my ears, literally, it was immense. Definitely the best till last, 'Incomplete' and the Bay Signature tune 'Hold Back The River', which was worth the ticket price alone.

This guy is definitely talented and everyone wants a piece of him, I can understand why especially after what I've just witnessed. A mesmerizing set that I could've listened to all night.

Definitely an artist to put on your bucket list of gigs to go and see, buy those tickets now.

article by: Michelle & Trish Owen-Williams

photos by: Michelle Owen-Williams

published: 20/04/2015 14:17



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