Blunt jokes and soars for arena
GIVEN the number of people who profess to dislike James Blunt, it was surprising to see so many fans at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday night having a really great time.
Supporting him was Lucy Spraggan, a 2012 X Factor contestant now known for so much more. The packed crowd arrived early to see this exceptional singer-songwriter deliver a ten-song set. Opening with the upbeat Run, she continued with the inspirational Lucky Stars, Spraggan also showcased Unsinkable, a remarkable song highlighting some of her most intimate lyrics. The tempo was brought right down for the empowering Fight For It before closer Lightning.
Touring to promote his latest album Who We Used To Be, Blunt opened with the upbeat Beside You and, armed with his guitar, launched into Saving A Life and fan-favourite Wisemen.
Performing one classic song after another, intermingled with his new numbers, the selfproclaimed master of the “miserable song” bounded with energy, leaping on the top of his piano and at one point perching on a speaker.
Dark Thought was a tribute to Carrie Fisher, with whom he stayed n Los Angeles, recording Goodbye My Lover in one of her bathrooms.
Oozing with charisma, he had the crowd switching between singing along to Postcards and Stay The Night and laughing at his self-deprecating jokes.
The 20-year-old You’re Beautiful showed it was still a real highlight, before he ramped up for a performance of OK, his collaboration with German DJ Robin Schulz.
Finishing off his set in spectacular style with Monsters, Bonfire Heart and 1973, Blunt had left a fully engaged crowd wanting more and definitely not muttering to themselves on the way home, “That James Blunt... can’t stand the man.”