Featured image and gallery: Josie Hunt
Middlesbrough-born James Arthur makes his return to Manchester’s AO Arena, the very same spot where he was crowned X Factor winner in 2012. Arthur rises from the middle of the stage walkway, representing his signature colour in the form of a smart pink blazer. He opens with ‘Bitter Sweet Love’, which his chart-topping album and tour is named after. Everyone is dancing before the first chorus hits, as canons release pink confetti into the crowd, setting the expectations for the rest of the night.
He has a couple surprises up his pink sleeve as he invites NEVE out for a beautiful rendition of ‘Rewrite the Stars’ from The Greatest Showman, with NEVE showing her raw talent by effortlessly singing Anne-Marie’s part.
Arthur announces an acoustic part of the set, with a pink piano decorated in cascading roses rising out of the stage at the end of the walkway. His pianist, guitarist and backing singers all join him. Mere metres away from the crowd, he makes the 21,000 capacity AO Arena seem like the most intimate of venues, as he sings ‘Naked’, ‘A Year Ago’ and ‘Emily’ to perfection.
In the most memorable moment of the show, Arthur asks if anyone in the audience wants to propose as he performs. Two couples come forward. The men drop to their knees as he starts singing ‘From the Jump’s first verse, and the crowd’s cheers turn into shrieks of happiness upon seeing both women say yes.
He later invites his support act Dean Lewis to the stage. Lewis shot to fame after his songs went viral on TikTok and it’s very clear why, as he shines in the duet of ‘Falling with the Stars’. Phone torches light up the arena, acting as constellations in a touching moment.
An impressive guitar solo by Rick Ahir marks an end to ‘Car’s Outside’ before Arthur invites us on a little trip down memory lane. Lights dim as an old television set appears on the big screen, counting down from 2024 to 2012 where we hear the voiceover from his X Factor tryout. He performs Tulisa’s ‘Young’; which was his audition song, and then introduces his winner’s single: Shontelle’s ‘Impossible’.
Arthur performs ‘New Generation’ for the encore, accompanied by flames shooting up from either side of the stage, followed by ‘Lasting Lover’ and one of his most famous ballads, ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’.
He takes one final walk to the end of the stage and pauses when he walks back, taking in his entire stage set up. It only lasts a second, but it shows how humble and down to earth he is. Beckoning his band and singers to centre stage he takes one final bow with them all, marking the end of an astounding concert.
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