James Blunt turned back time in a heartfelt Adelaide show on Tuesday night.
Twenty-one years on from the release of his debut album 'Back To Bedlam', Blunt has proven that timeless songwriting never loses its shine.
Returning to Adelaide (28 October) as part of his Back To Bedlam 20th anniversary tour, Blunt filled the Adelaide Entertainment Centre with nostalgia, emotion, and the kind of humour that only he could pull off.
He opened with 'High', instantly setting the tone for a night that felt both nostalgic and refreshingly alive. By the time he launched into 'You're Beautiful', Blunt was already cracking jokes with the crowd: "That's the hit song, it's all downhill from here." It was classic Blunt – equal parts self-deprecating and charming.
James Blunt - image © JakeyVass Media
That little moment really summed him up as an artist. Sincere, funny, and completely aware of his own legacy. From there, it was hit after hit. 'Wisemen', 'Goodbye My Lover', 'Carry You Home'. Each song landed with the emotional punch that had the crowd singing every word.
What stood out most to me, though, was how much Blunt made it about the audience. He left gaps in the songs so people could belt out the chorus themselves, smiling as the crowd took over.
At one point, he even climbed up and started dancing on his piano. I'll be honest, I stopped breathing for a second. All I could think was, 'please don't fall', but the man pulled it off with style and somehow made it look effortless.
The lighting design was another highlight. It wasn't just pretty, it was smart. The visuals shifted from moody blues to warm ambers, matching the emotion of each song perfectly.
During 'Bonfire Heart', the stage glowed like an actual bonfire, while 'Monsters' dropped the tone completely, washing the crowd in soft light as Blunt sat behind the piano. That one hit hard. I don't think there was a single dry eye in the arena. You could actually feel the collective emotion hanging in the air.
James Blunt - image © JakeyVass Media
Blunt's signature banter carried right through to the end, keeping the crowd laughing between the tears. His ability to bounce between heartbreak and humour is what makes him so special to watch. He doesn't take himself too seriously, and that makes his music land even deeper.
Opening the night was WA artist Go-Jo, who deserves a massive shoutout. He came out swinging with 'Mrs. Hollywood' (one of my personal favourites) and even dropped his brand-new single 'Appetite' which was released less than 24 hours prior.
You could tell he was loving every minute of it, getting the crowd to clap, sing, and loosen up. His energy set the tone perfectly for the night ahead.
Go-Jo - image © JakeyVass Media
All in all, it was a night of nostalgia and heart that reminded everyone why Blunt's music still hits home after all these years. Between his emotional storytelling, quick wit, and that cheeky piano dance moment, it felt like we were all part of something genuinely special.
More photos from the concert.
