James Bay | Glasgow | 01/02/2025
The O2 Academy Glasgow is known for its intimate yet energetic vibe, a perfect fit for James Bay. The venue is big enough to create a lively atmosphere but small enough to keep that personal touch, allowing for a real connection between Bay and his audience.
Bay is known for his powerful voice, which resonates deeply during his slower, more emotional songs like ‘Scars’, ‘Us’ or ‘Give Me The Reason’ – all part of his setlist for the night. At the same time, tracks like ‘Best Fake Smile’ and ‘Pink Lemonade’ brought a surge of energy – the crowd joining in with full enthusiasm. There was even the popular Glasgow chant of “Here We F*cking Go”.
Like many artists, James Bay shows his appreciation for Glasgow by singing a cover of Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’, changing the lyrics to express his love for Glasgow. His banter between songs is another highlight of the show – reminiscing over the time he played Tina Turner’s ‘Simply the Best’ at TRNSMT festival and vowed that he would not make that mistake again.
James has a natural charisma, chatting with the crowd in a way that feels genuine and down-to-earth. Glasgow, with its reputation for being a warm and welcoming music city, gave him that extra boost of energy, creating an atmosphere where fans felt completely involved.
The setlist mixes fan favourites with new material from his most recent album and a few medleys throughout, ending the show with Oasis’s ‘Don’t Look Back in Anger’ and of course none other than ‘Hold Back The River.’
There is just something about his vocals – mixed with his energetic and charismatic personality – that means that, as usual, James Bay does not disappoint.
Review by Alannah Stirling
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