James Blunt, we think 'You’re Beautiful' – A review from Melbourne
After waiting six years for him to return, no amount of rain could have dampened the spirits of James Blunt fans, who flocked to Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night. Following the release of his album by the same name, the highly anticipated Who We Used to Be Tour promised a mix of new songs as well as the classics we all know and love, and boy did it deliver.
James Blunt – Who We Used To Be
- When: Sunday 24 November 2024
- Where: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne
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The self-deprecating Brit is undeniably best known for his single ‘You’re Beautiful’, but the list of hits doesn’t stop there. His 2004 chart topping debut album Back to Bedlam also brought us songs such as ‘Goodbye My Lover’ and ‘High’, and more recently hits like ‘Bonfire Heart’, and – a song that makes me cry every time I hear it – ‘Monsters’, have captured music listeners worldwide. It’s no surprise that these songs made the set list, and were wildly popular with his fans.
Beyond his enduring music catalogue, James Blunt has also over the years become known his for his witty social media responses, trolling the trolls, and letting us in on his humorous side. This funny facet of his personality was on full display throughout the concert, too, never missing an opportunity to make a joke at his own expense. It takes a particular kind of performer to be able to balance heart wrenching ballads, and comedy, without tainting either one.
Being his only Melbourne tour date, the Sunday 24 November show at Rod Laver Arena was a unique opportunity to see this exceptional artist live. His vocals were a delight to receive, and the emotion of the stories he was telling through song certainly came through. Making it an even more unique experience, at one point Blunt ran through the crowd, giving the floor-seated ticketholders a chance to be (fleetingly) up close to the man himself. It was an unexpected inclusion to the gig, but was a real wow factor for those on the floor.
Second to that was the Mexican Wave that he curated to go around the arena every time a certain lyric was sung. This was executed with perfection, and it was great to see so many thousands of people all working together on something so visually spectacular. James teased a potential return to Australia in 2025, and – if this comes to fruition – any James Blunt fans really ought to go and see the live act.
With only two Australian shows left, in Adelaide and Perth, we are already looking forward to James Blunt coming back to Australia – let’s not leave it so long next time, eh?
Keep up to date with James Blunt’s Australian tour here.
