 | | James Blunt (pic: Elly Roberts) |
Predictably, he was greeted by hysterical scenes from the assembled. Flying out of the wings, he paraded stage front with acoustic guitar in tow. Breathe, a new song, went virtually unnoticed due to screams and whistles. It was a totally unexpected ‘attack’ from the humble man of pop, but it had the desired effect. He had his adoring fans in the palm of his hand from the outset, and kept it that way for an hour and fifteen minutes: one album and a small clutch of new songs is all he has right now.
 | | James Blunt (pic: Elly Roberts) |
Billy, High and Cry raised the roof, while mobile phones flash like the paparazzi gone nuts. Stage lights dimmed, the band disappeared into the darkness. He fronted his piano. Three spotlights focused on his solitary figure. He stopped for a breather and said, “I know you’ve come here for some fun. So I’ll play something really miserable,” bringing roars of laughter. A heart wrenching Goodbye My Lover got the girls going – this is the effect his music has had on the nation. He pounded the piano so much; it rocked precariously on its platform.
 | | James Blunt (pic: Elly Roberts) |
He followed with his first cover, a belting version of Slade’s Coz I Luv You. Taking it down, Tears And Rain steadied the pace for a bit, then it was back for another solo, the chilling No Bravery, arguably his best song, about the atrocities in Kosovo, complimented by film footage from the Balkans war, a truly show-stopping moment as the venue fell silent, mirroring the devastating scenes. A rowdy standing ovation ensued, but there was time for a little more. Newly penned Where Is My Mind restarted things and, gushing with pride, Blunt grinned, “We’ve had a great time Manchester – this is for you!” Again, screams and whistles prefix the opening chords of his signature tune; You’re Beautiful, which has just re-entered the charts. For almost three minutes, the crowd gave it their all. Last summer he entered the British consciousness – this night he consolidated that place.
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