James Marriott is one of the more exciting artists going around and has returned to Australia for a third time after cancelling his shows earlier this year due to the fuel crisis. The Enmore Theatre was packed to the brim for his rescheduled Sydney show, with fans welcoming him to the stage amidst a plethora of applause and cheering.

“It’s going to be quite a high-octane setlist,” Marriott said to the crowd.

Marriott started strong with the energetic “Ventriloquist” before moving into “Something’s Wrong” and “Don’t Blame Me”, immediately establishing the energy that would carry through the night. There was a good mix between up-tempo tracks and slower songs, with Marriott arguably at his best on the ballads with “White Noise” being one of the highlights of the set despite a false start, particularly for the connection between Marriott and his audience. Marriott’s vocals were strong and powerful and the crowd responded enthusiastically. 

There was plenty of humour throughout the set as well with Marriott frequently riffing with the crowd to great effect. 

“Until yesterday I believed that drop bears are a real thing,” he said to much laughter. 

There were many pride flags scattered around the audience, with Marriott being a notable ally. It was great to see this sense of inclusivity acknowledged for his fans on the night, contributing to a really special atmosphere. The audience was clearly invested in both Marriott and his music, with the singalongs and crowd participation demonstrating the strength of the connection he has built with his fanbase.

With a good mix of older and newer songs, Marriott also treated the audience to “Lovestruck”, an unreleased track from his forthcoming third album, Warning Signs, due for release in January. It was a nice insight into where Marriott’s musicality is heading, and showed off the breadth of his sound for his listeners who have been with him for many years.

Marriott saved some of the night’s most energetic moments for the closing stretch, with “Burn Down the Disco” and his smash hit “Grapes” bringing the audience to the fore to a fittingly exuberant finish. While the set was arguably weighted towards the end, that was clearly no problem for the audience, who remained engaged throughout and were having an absolute blast.

Overall, this was a great night that showcased the best of Marriott’s music, with impressive vocals, clever songwriting and a genuine connection with his fans. It is clear that Marriott has a booming fanbase in Australia and with a new album on the way his profile looks set to continue growing. A great show and a wonderful showcase of his music.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

James Marriott – Enmore Theatre – 8 October 2026

Photo credit: Sam Mcmahon