The stage was set and the iconic Enmore Theatre was filled to the brim for British singer-songwriter James Bay’s Tuesday night set. Bay hadn’t played in Australia since 2018 so the crowd were eager to welcome him back and the atmosphere was buzzing from the very start of the set. 

Bay does not fit the mould of the typical singer-songwriter in every way. He has an eclectic catalogue that spans across a wide range of genres and styles, paying homage to his many influences even throughout a relatively short set. But crucially, this variety in his setlist does not generally compromise his performance or ability to connect with the audience as his versatility means that virtually everyone connects with at least some of his songs. This was clearly evident at the concert where during virtually every song, a couple could be spotted pulling each other closer – Bay writes and sings from the heart which necessarily lends itself to the creation of ‘special songs’ for many. 

As Bay walked out onto stage to commence his set with “Best Fake Smile” a cacophony of phones went up in the air. Perhaps this is now unsurprising but in a small venue like the Enmore, it forms a wall of lights which creates a quasi-ethereal experience. While the phones went up and down as Bay moved through his set, everyone had their phone out as he sung his smash-hit “Let It Go”. The performance was tender, with Bay’s mellow voice echoing around the room to produce a truly magical moment.

While Bay mainly stuck to his setlist, he did deviate slightly for some audience requests. At an audience member’s request, he performed “Endless Summer Nights” and earlier in the night, he performed “Peer Pressure” on a whim after hearing it playing in a bathroom sometime after landing in Australia. But perhaps most exciting of all was when he played a new song “Hope” that he had not yet released. It evoked feelings of some of his earliest hits and sounds tailor-made for radio play. 

Bay was at his best when he was jamming with his band and performing his biggest hits, allowing his musicianship to show. Some of his newer music, which was more experimental, did not connect as well but it was generally interspersed between his classics which did not allow much time for lingering. 

To close out the night, Bay sung two of his biggest songs, “Scars” and “Hold Back The River.” During the latter, the venue erupted as everyone in the venue screamed out the lyrics at Bay while he performed one of his biggest hits. It was a fitting end to a wonderful night of music. 

Rating: ★★★★

James Bay – Enmore Theatre- 12^th March, 2024