Last weekend, on 22nd February 2020, James Blunt performed at the Brighton Centre as part of his ‘Once Upon A Mind Tour’. Audience members were already expecting an incredible show from Blunt, but couldn’t believe it when they saw Ed Sheeran walk out on to the stage.
After singing a few of his songs including ‘Goodbye My Lover’ (a hit from 2005 album ‘Back to Bedlam’), Blunt announced his next song. ‘Make Me Better’ from his album ‘The Afterlove’ was co-written by Ed Sheeran, Blunt told the audience. Then, as the music started, Sheeran entered from stage right to a shocked and excited audience, who cheered as the pair played the song as a duet, both on acoustic guitars.
The gig date coincided with Blunt’s 46th birthday, so once the duet had ended, Sheeran joined the audience in singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to his friend. He jokingly said “Today is James’ birthday. He is 32 years old, if you can believe it”. As everyone sang, the band accompanied with some music.
James played his biggest hit ‘You’re Beautiful’ right afterwards, with his band made up of Chris Pemberton on piano, Paul Sayer on lead guitar, John Garrison on bass and Karl Brazil on drums, while James played his acoustic guitar throughout the night. Blunt said of his band “They are the nicest bunch of people I could ever wish to have met, and they rock”.
The tour is following Blunt’s sixth studio album of the same name, which was released on 25th October 2019 through Atlantic Records. ‘One Upon A Mind’ has 11 tracks, four of which were released as singles prior to the album release. ‘Cold’ was the lead single, which has 17 million plays on Spotify, and a music video which the artist describes as “a sequel to ‘You’re Beautiful’ “, currently at 8 million views. Other singles were ‘Champion’, ‘I Told You’ and ‘Monsters’.
The singer most recently collaborated with duo Ward Thomas, who are opening for him on tour currently. A revamped version ‘Halfway’ from Blunt’s new album was released on 5th February 2020, a week before they embarked on the tour. Another special guest on the tour is Jason Mraz, who will join Blunt for the Australian dates. Blunt set out on tour on 14th February 2020, kicking off in Birmingham and travelling across the UK and Europe, ending in London’s Royal Albert Hall on 7th April. Find tickets and more information on his website.
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I’m on tour in 2020 – the dates for my first UK and European shows are now on sale!
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James Blunt released his debut album ‘Back To Bedlam’ in 2004 which sold 11 million copies worldwide and reached number 1 in the UK Albums Chart and number 2 in the US. He writes and produces his music, receiving five Grammy nominations including Song of the Year, and winning two Brit Awards for Male Solo Artist and British Pop Act. He previously served as a reconnaissance officer in the Life Guards (a cavalry regiment of the British Army).
