James Blunt The Who We Used To Be Tour Review (2024 – Rod Laver Arena, Australia) @JamesBlunt
Summary: James Blunt The Who We Used To Be Tour Review ... a brilliant tour by Blunty McBluntface!
5
Brilliant!
After 6 long-years (damn you pandemic), the brilliant James Blunt returns to Australia with his The Who We Used To Be Tour – as he sings his classics, including songs from his new album, Who We Used To Be. James even makes fun of the title of his new album, including plenty of jokes throughout his gig such as mentioning many of his songs are depressing, the real reason men are at the concert and that he even sounds like a dolphin. Additionally audience participation was at a literal “high” from clapping to dancing, jumping to a Mexican wave and even getting everyone to light up Rod Laver with their smartphone torches. Impressive to say the least.
As a fun fact, James rose to fame in 2004 with his debut album Back to Bedlam that sold over 12 million copies worldwide with two singles that still hold a place in many today, You’re Beautiful and Goodbye My Lover that were hits with the crowd. Speaking of international hits, Bonfire Heart (2013) and 1973 (2007) also make a welcome appearance in this concert. From a more modern perspective, The Girl that Never Was and Beside You (2023) were also adored by fans at Rod Laver Arena. Best of all, James never missed a beat and given that he has been performing for 20-years, it was enjoyable seeing him perform live as not only has he matured throughout his career but also his lyrics that was a mixture of emotion and even boppy.
Another highlight is watching James move between instruments, from his guitar to piano that showcases this amazing singer and musician – not to mention his dancing skills. Given that, the choice of songs was perfect from start to finish and personal favourites? It’s hard to go past Goodbye My Lover, Bonfire Heart and his touching tribute (Monsters, 2019) for his father who battled stage four chronic kidney disease and underwent a kidney transplant in 2020. Needless to say, it’s a very powerful song. However not all his songs are oozing with melancholy and there were plenty of upbeat tracks as well. Lighting also plays a key component to the concert and it is used extremely well.
Final Thoughts?
Watching James perform live is an engaging experience as not only does he enjoy what he does, it also makes it highly infectious with the audience. Further, all his songs all have meaning from their lows and highs that resonated with every soul at Rod Laver Arena. Add in the other musicians in his band, with James also joking that they are not only tired but they are not his friends as he pays them but both he and the band moved like clockwork and as as result, they moved the entire audience to their core from tears to laughs and singing along the way… quite the showman indeed! And also quite the comedian as well with James jokingly telling the crowd that he will only play his music from the new album and that he has locked the doors to the arena as he laughs “you’re fucking mine”. Of course, the star of the James Blunt The Who We Used To Be Tour is James Blunt himself plus the diverse songs that span his 20-year career.
Thank you Mr Blunty McBluntface!
Tour Dates
- Thu 21 Nov 2024
Brisbane Riverstage, Brisbane, QLD - Sat 23 Nov 2024
ICC Sydney Theatre, Sydney, NSW - Sun 24 Nov 2024
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, VIC - Mon 25 Nov 2024
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena, Adelaide, SA - Thu 28 Nov 2024
Red Hill Auditorium, Perth, WA
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