This was a massive undertaking, and some might say a massive risk for James Arthur. Sure, he had just undertaken a sell-out arena tour, but filling a football stadium is something else again. Even if it was his home turf. I just felt duty-bound to go along and support James at this massive homecoming show. After all, I have seen him perform a few times before including an intimate gig at the Boiler Shop earlier this year, which I greatly enjoyed. Plus, I can’t resist stadium concerts.
Middlesbrough Football Club announced the event thus: “Teesside singer-songwriter James Arthur has announced a huge homecoming gig. The Middlesbrough-born crooner and Brit Billion-certified artist announced on Monday that he would be performing a massive homecoming show at Riverside Stadium in June 2024. It will be his biggest headlining gig to date and will see him joined by special guests McFly as well as Lauran Hibberd.”
“The news comes months after James announced he would be releasing his fifth studio album, Bitter Sweet Love, which is set to be released on January 26 [which I saw him preview at the Boiler Shop at the time of its release] with multiple dates including UK arenas. The 35-year-old Boro fan said playing at his home stadium had always been a ‘pipe dream’ and he was ‘really honoured’ to be playing on home turf.”
On returning to his roots on Teesside, James said: “It’s truly unbelievable. I don’t think that I can put it into words. As someone who came to the Riverside as a young lad with a season ticket and walked through the turnstiles, it’s just crazy to think that people are going to be walking through the turnstiles to watch me perform. It’s very much like the end of a movie, a full circle moment. It has been a bit of a pipe dream of mine to play my team’s ground; I’m really honoured.”
On the day of the show, Jan, Harvey, and I ventured south to the ‘Boro to see how James would fare in the stadium concert. Just as we arrived at the ground, we could hear McFly finishing their set. I wrote just yesterday about how I saw many acts perform at the Olympic Torch Concert in The Mall, London during 2008. McFly were one of those performing on the day. So, it has been many years since I saw them perform, and I didn’t really see them this time (although I could hear a couple of familiar hit songs). The crowd gave them a great cheer as they finished their warmup performance.
As we entered the Riverside Stadium it became clear that the place was pretty full. James had succeeded in bringing together his home fan base to support him. The pitch was full, as were most of the stands. We had a splendid view opposite the stage, overlooking the crowd. After a short wait, and just enough time for a drink (expensive, in plastic glasses, you know the score) James took to the stage, opening the proceedings with the title track of his new album “Bitter Sweet Love”. The home crowd knew every song, singing along with every word.
James was clearly moved by the entire event. He said something like: “Thank you for making my dream come true. I was born just down the road in Redcar, and I was a season ticket holder for Middlesbrough, spending many happy Saturday afternoons in this stadium. To return home and play here is beyond my wildest dreams”. The guy was very emotional throughout the whole concert. The audience loved him.
I recognised several of the songs and enjoyed the entire concert. “Impossible” reminded me of taking my daughter, Laura, to see James at Newcastle City Hall just after he had won The X Factor. Soon it was over. The crowd gave him numerous standing ovations. James thanked everyone again. Jan, Harvey, and I made our way out of the stadium, searching for our taxi which we soon found. We all agreed it had been a highly enjoyable affair, and a triumph for James.
Many thanks to Harvey for the photographs and to Jan for helping me navigate the site. Thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the image of the Riverside Stadium.
Setlist: Bitter Sweet Love; Blindside; Empty Space; Can I Be Him; Comeback Kid; Sermon / Ready or Not; Rewrite the Stars; A Year Ago; Certain Things / Safe Inside / Quite Miss Home / Emily; Naked; From the Jump; Train Wreck; A Thousand Years; Falling Like the Stars; My Favourite Pill; Car’s Outside ; Young; Impossible; Homecoming; New Generation; Lasting Lover; Say You Won’t Let Go
This was a special intimate concert at which local hero 
I took my younger daughter to see James at Newcastle City Hall several years ago and was very impressed by him then. However, I can’t say I know a lot of his material but I do remember his big hit “Impossible”. The guy has an interesting soulful voice and is massively popular, having sold out his arena tour and now headlining outdoor shows around the country, including one at the Middlesbrough Riverside Stadium, the massive football ground, for which I have tickets; the concert taking place in June.
The venue was full of young girls who were clearly ecstatic about seeing their hero in such a small setting. It was a short concert starting at 8:30 PM and finishing shortly after 9:30 PM. James was accompanied by two guitarists, a keyboard player and a two singers. Everyone on acoustic guitars including James himself. He came onstage to a massive cheer and screams from the crowd. This made me feel very old. In fact, I was probably the oldest person in the room. But, who cares, it was exciting to be at such an event.
The short set consisted of a mix of new songs from the soon to be released album and old favourites including my own particular favourite “Impossible”. Everyone seemed to know the words to all of the songs including the new ones, yet to be released; but presumably streamed through James Arthur’s site. It was a great party atmosphere and James had plenty of banter with the crowd. “Who’s here from Middlesbrough?” A massive cheer. “Who’s coming to see me at Newcastle Arena?” Another massive cheer. “Who’s coming to Manchester Arena?” Another big cheer. I was clearly surrounded by a group of real fans.
The banter continued “are you going to buy my new album and help it make number 1?” A massive cheer. “Please come along to the Riverside to see me, there are still tickets left” (the venue holds 35,000 people). Another cheer. The songs were catchy, soulful and James was in a great playful mood. And then it was over after what seemed like a few minutes. Roll on the Riverside concert in June. We all trundled out in orderly fashion into the cold Newcastle evening. My taxi was waiting to take me back home. Yes I remain a not so secret James Arthur fan.
Many thanks to Jackie for taking the pictures.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 