Bay Breathes New Life Live @ The Electric Brixton

by | Mar 17, 2018

He was the UK’s favourite pop artist of 2015. He was adored for his long hair, his sexually alluring voice and (of course) ‘the hat’. But the James Bay that was, was no longer. Adamant to change his identity, Bay has, for the past few years, focused on an evolutionary journey that would allow him to not only remain relevant, but true to himself. This year, he took this notion from concept to reality with the release of his latest album Electric Lights.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

And so Thursday night was the 27 year old Hertfordshire man’s opportunity to prove himself as a redefined artist. Intimately set at South London’s Electric Brixton, the venue is small but absolutely heaving. A sold-out crowd fills every possible space, they cheer at every dimming light, every silhouette appearing on stage. The anticipation is palpable.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

The night begins quite solemnly, with a video montage in the background and a few gathering clouds of smoke around the stage. Before long, Bay and his quintet are out on stage and well into the first song, Wasted On Each Other – the first full track off the new album and, therefore, the first time a new song has been performed live for London audiences.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

Far removed from the long-haired, hat-bearing acoustic boy of five years ago, Bay appeared in all black, a red Epiphone in hand and with all of the energy he could conjure to ensure this performance became the rock and roll performance he had envisioned. With little less than a moment to pause, he moved from song to song – Pink Lemonade, Craving, If You Ever Want To Be In Love – each time switching guitars and (on two occasions) jackets, for a somewhat ‘rockstar effect’ that seemed more forced than natural.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

But after an energetic musical barrage of songs, Bay finally takes a moment to pause and soak in where he actually is. “Well, well, well, London. It’s so nice to be back!”. And as the lights begin to reveal exactly how many people are watching him, the reality sinks in – “Wow, is that actually how many of you are out there?!”.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

It’s a comment that bears testament to the nature of his journey from humble street busker, to a grammy nominated artist. His popularity has soared and, with that, the number of people that are proud to call themselves his fans. This was none more evident than during his more famous songs. During Let It Go the venue was filled with the soaring voices of the audience, the sheer volume of which caused Bay to stop and let the crowd do the signing for him.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

And in the quiet interludes of Scars, the bellowing cheers were reduced to a whisper as the fans respectfully listened to Bay’s quieter progressions. It was an evening where Bay wanted to achieve a completely new musical identity and, in the process, quietly assassinate the softer character that had once defined him. This was no more evident during his most famous song Hold Back The River which received such a sleek, rock and roll injection, you almost couldn’t tell it was the song that won him People’s Choice at the Brit Awards in 2015.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

Additionally, it’s difficult not to recognise the talented musician Bay actually is. Not only is he gifted with the uniqueness of his vocal instrument, but on every song he displayed impressive feats of musical improvisation that hinted at a somewhat John Mayer meets Jonny Lang meets Prince triple fusion. A delightful hybrid that called to account the fact that Bay is actually much more of the musician he may have appeared to once been.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

James Bay
James Bay

And during Wild Love – the first single off his new album – Bay proved that he could go beyond what was known and familiar, every time reminding his crowd how he could create genuine pop songs that had heart and creativity behind them. It was one of the most popular songs of the evening, calling to account the admiration he continues to receive.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

As the night drew to a close, Bay delivered his encore song, Need The Sun To Break, in the most intimate way – through the vocal unison of artist and fans. The theatre echoed the “oooo’s” and “ohhhh’s” of the crowd as he set aside his guitar and improvised his own (impressive) vocal notes on top of them. It was a tranquil yet powerfully sentimental ending to an evening.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

While, at the beginning of his performance, he demonstrated a clear obsession with ridding himself of the pop star identity, once he settled into the night Bay certainly delivered an outstanding performance. He displayed such a strong sense of maturity and, perhaps most importantly, a total dislocation from the predictability that once made his shows boring. Would recommend.

James Bay @ Electric Brixton

Bay takes his Electric Lights tour to the US and Canada next before returning to the UK for seven dates, kicking off at London’s Roundhouse venue.

UK Tour Dates:

29th May – Roundhouse, London
30th May – Albert Hall, Manchester
1st June – O2 Academy, Sheffield
2nd June – Colston Hall, Bristol
3rd June – Corn Exchange, Cambridge
5th June – O2 Academy, Newcastle
6th June – De Montfort Hall, Leicester

 

Live review of James Bay @ Electric Brixton by Lilen Pautasso on 15th March 2018.

Photos by Kalpesh Patel. Kalpesh has more music photography up on his flickr stream here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingforkate

 

https://rockshotmagazine.com/21808/photos-communion-turns-10/

Skunk Anansie @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Skunk Anansie Unveil Powerful Visual For Deeply Personal New Single ‘Shame’

British rock legends Skunk Anansie have released a striking new video for their latest single Shame, a raw and emotional track that sees frontwoman Skin dive deep into her own past, confronting complex family dynamics and personal identity with unflinching honesty.

Sabrina Carpenter @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Jordan Curtis Hughes / Alfredo Flores)

An Explosive Sabrina Carpenter Show Keeps Drenched London Warm At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Hey London, how you doing? My name’s Sabrina — what’s your name?”. There is a daft cacophony of replies, that shows...
Matt Cameron of Pearl Jam @ BST Hyde Park 2022 (Simon Reed)

Matt Cameron Departs Pearl Jam After 27 Years Amidst Wave Of Drummer Changes In Rock

After nearly three decades behind the kit, Matt Cameron has announced his departure from Pearl Jam. The legendary drummer, 62, shared the news via social media on 7th July, marking the end of a 27‑year tenure that began in 1998. His departure comes in the wake of the band’s Dark Matter World Tour, which concluded earlier this year.

Sydney Rose @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Sydney Rose Shines In Mid-Afternoon Magic On The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

While headliner Noah Kahan was preparing to command the Great Oak Stage later in the evening, over on the Rainbow Stage a quieter but equally stirring performance was unfolding under the soft mid-afternoon sun. Georgia-born singer-songwriter Sydney Rose brought her headline tour to a moving finale, wrapping her journey in heartfelt lyrics and gently fierce vocals that captivated a festival crowd seeking intimacy amid the day’s growing energy.

Gigi Perez @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Gigi Perez Captivates London With Raw Emotion And Rising-Star Power At BST Hyde Park 2025

At just 25 years old, Gigi Perez has already carved out a reputation as one of indie-pop’s most compelling new voices — and her late afternoon set on the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park proved exactly why. Supporting headliner Noah Kahan and following a string of breakout moments this year, the Hackensack, New Jersey native delivered a deeply affecting performance filled with vulnerability, power, and soaring vocals

Paris Paloma @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Paris Paloma Brings Barefoot Magic To The Rainbow Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In a festival rich with soaring choruses and star power, it was Paris Paloma’s barefoot grace and gothic romanticism that carved out one of the day’s most mesmerising sets. Taking to The Rainbow Stage on a golden midsummer afternoon, the Derbyshire singer-songwriter captivated her growing legion of fans with an intimate, emotionally charged performance that felt part séance, part storybook.

FINNEAS @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

FINNEAS Warms Up London With Heart And Humour Before Noah Kahan’s Headline Set At BST Hyde Park 2025

It’s not every day that a support slot feels like a moment of main event magic, but FINNEAS — the GRAMMY®-winning songwriter, producer, and solo artist — brought just that to the Great Oak Stage at BST Hyde Park on Friday. Performing ahead of headliner Noah Kahan and main support Gracie Abrams, the 27-year-old delivered a slick, emotionally charged set that balanced heartfelt sincerity with tongue-in-cheek charm.

Noah Kahan @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Northern Attitude In London: Noah Kahan, Gracie Abrams & Friends Light Up BST Hyde Park 2025

It was, as the name requires, the perfect summer's day for British Summer Time Hyde Park on Friday. The sun was...

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing