Live Review: James Morrison @ Wilton’s Music Hall

by | Aug 28, 2015

I’m sure you’ve all heard those radio competitions to win tickets “for an exclusive intimate live show with…” but like me, you probably never thought you’d actually get to one. Well tonight, for me and few hundred others, we got to witness one such evening courtesy of James Morrison. The venue is Wilton’s Music Hall, one of London’s oldest original music halls, beautifully restored but with a capacity of only 300.

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

Given this is one of his first live performances in 3 years, I’m sure he could have launched the new album Higher Than Here at  The O2 or a similarly sized super-venue, so this is an interesting choice. However, as soon as he runs on stage, high-fiving the front row, you got the impression this was going to be a special night and I’m sure nobody came away disappointed.

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

The set opens with the energy filled Under The Influence from his first album Undiscovered, before flowing straight into two more older numbers in Nothing Ever Hurt Like You and the poppier I Won’t Let You Go. They’re a perfect start to set the mood and get the crowd moving, but for me it’s the introduction of the newer songs that really raise the evening. Clearly enjoying being back on stage with this new material, James really rips into these songs with standouts for me being Heaven To A Fool and later on in the set, the really different Demons, complete with a looped backing track.

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

Underpinning all of this is James’s truly amazing rasping soul filled voice, which is pretty effortless in its delivery and although he has a full band, and a group of 3 backing singers, they’re just there to add the layers. Yes of course there’s time for some great sing-along’s, in particular Broken Strings (“there’s been a lot of girls practicing that one” he jokes after) and some slower paced songs in the middle. But ultimately this is a seamless blend of old and new with some great modern soul songs sung from the heart.

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

The main set closer, the more rocky Call The Police, tees everything up nicely for the encore involving You Give Me Something and the first single from the new album, the gospel influenced Higher Than Here which sends everyone off with a warm contentment that they really were part of that special intimate show.

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

James Morrison plays an intimate album launch show at Wiltons Music Hall, London (Andy Sampson)

There may be a bunch of new pretenders trying to muscle in to the soul-pop genre at the moment. But all I can say is watch out Sam Smith and John Newman, James Morrison is full of new songs and energy, and he’s definitely back.!

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000XDzQJXRV7oE” g_name=”James-Morrison” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”t” f_fullscreen=”t” f_show_watermark=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_mtrx=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”600″ height=”450″ f_constrain=”t” bgcolor=”#ffffff” bgtrans=”t” btype=”new” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” twoup=”t” trans=”flip” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_topbar=”f” f_bbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_smooth=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” ]

Photography & Live Review by Andy Sampson.

Andy has his own great site here: SoundRitual 

Olivia Dean @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Olivia Dean Warms A Damp Hyde Park With Soulful Resilience At BST Hyde Park 2025

Though clouds still loomed and the ground remained squelchy underfoot, Olivia Dean brought a welcome calm and undeniable warmth to BST Hyde Park’s Great Oak Stage on Sunday afternoon. Following a weather-disrupted opening set by Amber Mark — whose performance was cut short by a torrential downpour — Dean arrived as the skies cleared, bringing poise, polish, and powerful vocals to a crowd that refused to let a bit of British summer rain dampen their spirits.

Clairo @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Clairo Brings Soft Focus And Dreamy Intimacy To The Great Oak Stage At BST Hyde Park 2025

In the golden lull between a dramatic afternoon downpour and Sabrina Carpenter’s headline pop spectacle, Clairo turned London’s Great Oak Stage into a sanctuary of softness and reflection. Her early evening performance at BST Hyde Park on Sunday 6th July offered a tender contrast to the festival’s typically high-energy crescendo, inviting the crowd into a quieter, more introspective space.

Jessie Murph (Press)

Jessie Murph Announces Bold New Album ‘Sex Hysteria’, Shares Vulnerable New Single ‘Bad As The Rest’

Boundary-breaking rising star Jessie Murph has unveiled her latest single Bad As The Rest, offering a raw and emotionally charged glimpse into her upcoming sophomore album Sex Hysteria, due out on 18th July via Columbia Records.

The Jacques (Nick Sayers)

The Jacques Announce Riotous New Single ‘All The Other Sinners’ Ahead of Second Album ‘Make Repetition!’

London/Bristol alt-rock trio The Jacques are ramping up momentum ahead of their second album Make Repetition! with the release of their blistering new single All The Other Sinners — a searing, melody-drenched slice of chaos and catharsis out now.

Cam @ The Tabernacle (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Cam Captivates London With A Night Of Raw Vocals And Real Stories At The Tabernacle

In a sweltering Tabernacle, a somehow both vast and intimate venue, a sweat-soaked audience filled every seat for...
J.Fla (Press)

J.Fla Redefines Herself With Empowering New Single ‘Stellar Paradox’

South Korean singer-songwriter and YouTube sensation J.Fla has taken a giant leap into the cosmos with her newest release, Stellar Paradox, marking the start of a bold new chapter in her musical journey. Known to millions for her viral YouTube covers, J.Fla now turns the spotlight firmly onto her own voice with a genre-blending, emotionally charged original that paves the way for her highly anticipated upcoming EP, due in late summer 2025.

Chloe Qisha @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Chloe Qisha Closes The Rainbow Stage In Style At BST Hyde Park 2025

After a tempestuous afternoon that saw Hyde Park lashed by torrential rain and set times thrown into flux, it was Chloe Qisha who restored the calm — and then brought the fire — as she closed the Rainbow Stage on Sunday evening with a confident, emotionally astute set that proved worth the wait.

Lusaint (Jade Vowles)

Lusaint Captures The Ache Of A Sunlit Longing With New Single ‘Summertime’ Ahead Of ‘The Apothecary’ EP

Rising Mancunian star Lusaint has unveiled her latest single Summertime, a smoky, jazz-laced track brimming with emotion and understated power. Arriving in the wake of earlier 2025 releases Joking and Neon Lights, Summertime serves as the final preview before the release of her hotly anticipated new EP The Apothecary, due later this summer.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing