Live review: James Blunt (for The Music Network)

17 May 2011

by Poppy Reid

Monday May 16
The State Theatre, Sydney, NSW

There is no doubt James Blunt is an adorable performer; the British soft-rocker had an awkwardly confident air about him at Sydney’s State Theatre last night.

At first, this oxymoron could have been mistaken for stage jitters but from his catwalk down the theatre’s isle onto the stage to sing So Far Gone and right through his 20-song set, it became clear he wasn’t nervous, just a charming, graceless soul.

It has to be said that Blunt’s stage set was an elaborate surprise, 13 guitars including three acoustics were placed on and around the band’s box platforms which flashed moving digital images of city life, birds, trees and a dancing woman. Interestingly, Blunt’s band members all wore military style jackets; perhaps to remind us of his British army officer chops and that even dulcet toned cutie-pies can lead a regiment of soldiers.

During Wisemen, Blunt attempted to have eye-sex with a few audience members, “we’re in Sydney baby!” he yelled; his voice, his between-song banter poking fun at his music and his body language all seemed confident but his timidness shone through. During These Are The Words Blunt took to the piano and stood, rocking back and forth, creating a hilarious shadow for the crowd members whose minds were gutter-deep.

“C’mon, someone take your clothes off,” he joked. “You’re Australian. This was the highlight of my tour! I’ll play this song really good if someone hot just takes their top off.”

The crowd remained quite clothed but there were a few “I love you James,” shouts from the top balcony.

Goodbye My Lover was everything Sydney’s jilted lovers could have dreamed of. His timorous demeanour whilst sitting at the piano worked rather well here, giving the hit song a raw touch and awarded him a well-deserved standing ovation.

Final tracks You’re Beautiful, So Long, Jimmy and I’ll Be Your Manwere met by an upstanding and swaying crowd who seemed to inch closer to the stage with every chorus. His three-track encore was a mix of old and new with his Platinum-selling track, Stay The Nightsandwiched between Into The Dark and 1973.

As sad as the audience looked at the realisation it was over, the satisfaction after such an intimate set was more than enough to force them out the doors.