LISTEN: James Arthur reveals Bitter Sweet Love show details ahead of ‘fairytale’ homecoming
BUY TICKETS: Tickets for the June 8 gig and all UK dates on his Bitter Sweet Love tour are selling fast, on sale subject to availability at www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
LISTEN: In an exclusive chat James outlined set-list and show details, told how he and Kelly Clarkson jumped at the chance to record his new duet From The Jump and he also let drop plans to release more new music. Hear his full interview with Graham Walker - CLICK HERE.
The Boro super fan described his upcoming Middlesbrough fixture as a 'wild fantasy'.
He promised fans a sound and lights spectacle full of new music and career highs, including core hits such as debut chart topper Impossible and signature song Say You Won't Let Go, Naked, Rewrite The Stars, Train Wreck, Lasting Lover and Cars Outside.
The Saltburn-raised singer penned new album track Homecoming as a love-letter to his roots and he says the song will get its official live debut at Riverside.
But the emotional milestone is so overwhelming he admits he's trying not to think about it.
The 36-year-old said of the gig:`'I've tried to put it out of my head as much as possible. I've tried not to think about it too much to be honest, because it's such a huge milestone - it's got to be a fairy tale really. What a wild fantasy to be playing at the Riverside.
"So I try not to think about it too much. I need to just take it in my stride when I'm there and try to enjoy it.”
Homecoming, which features on latest number one album Bitter Sweet Love, is full of references to the region where he grew up, including Borough Park, Rye Hills School and Redcar Beach.
He said: "I think it's only right for it to have its live debut at the Riverside.
"I've toyed with the idea of playing it out in Germany, because I'm gonna be there for a week prior to doing the Riverside - so that'll be the sort of dress rehearsal.
"Maybe it'd be wise to try it a couple of times out there. Although I guess people in Germany will not care much about Redcar Beach."
He added of the tour: "It's the most production heavy show I've done, with screens and fire - all the bells and whistles, a real spectacle.
"It's always just been about the music, whereas now it's much more of a show.
"The production features all the core hits and the big streamers that I think people want to hear at a James Arthur concert.
"But there's also a thread of new music. It showcases moments throughout my career."
The global pop star, with five studio albums of material, including two number ones, has released 38 singles, eight as a featured artist, plus 30 music videos. He gets over 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.
Say You Won't Let Go, his breakthrough hit in the US, was officially the UK's most streamed song in 2016 and has gone on to be enjoyed via four billion streams while the song's official video has achieved 1.5 billion views on YouTube.
Earlier this year, the track became his first RIAA Diamond Single with 10 million certified units – making James one of just 100 recipients of an RIAA Diamond Single certification in the programme's history.
He has collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmello and many more - most recently with Kelly Clarkson on new duet From The Jump.
The outdoor summer tour dates, promoted by SJM Concerts, will also see him play Swansea, Newmarket, Market Rasen, Belfast,Galway, plus Leeds Millennium Square on July 12 and Wigan Robin Park, home to Wigan Athletic football club and Wigan Warriors rugby league club. July 17 - full details below.
The gigs will follow a major world tour, in which multiple dates including UK arenas, sold out instantly.
Special guests McFly, Lauran Hibberd, and the winner of a Road to Riverside talent competition, support him at Middlesborough, while Gabrielle and Scouting for Girls join him at Wigan Robin Park. Ella Henderson is support at Market Rasen Racecourse, August 17.
James Arthur 2024 UK Tour Dates
Jun 08 – Middlesbrough, UK @ Riverside Stadium
Jul 12 – Leeds, UK @ Millennium Square
Jul 17 – Wigan, UK @ Robin Park
Jul 18 – Swansea, UK @ Singleton Park
Aug 02 – Newmarket, UK @ Newmarket Racecourse
Aug 17 – Market Rasen, UK @ Market Rasen Racecourse
Aug 27 – Belfast, UK @ Custom House Square
Aug 28 – Galway, Ireland @ Summer Sessions
10 Years of James Arthur Celebration Gig
Dec 18 - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
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