Review: James Arthur – Pisces World Tour, BP Pulse Live – 10 February 2026
James Arthur: A Beautiful Soul Barely Hidden Behind the Arena Lights
James Arthur has a beautiful soul. His music is raw, passionate, ‘heart on your sleeve’ stuff. He sings about real life—depression, love, regret, and the joy of parenthood. Even as he sells out arenas like the BP Pulse Arena, he remains the bloke next door; someone you’d like to grab a drink with to chat about anything and nothing. (Though, being a Sky Blue fan, I think I’d steer clear of football right now!) It just so happens that this ‘bloke next door’ is gifted with an extraordinary voice which he uses to bare his soul and, in doing so, connect with yours.
The Journey to the Arena
As I’ve written elsewhere, I was late to the party. I cheered his X Factor victory years ago but lost touch, only downloading “Say You Won’t Let Go” along with the rest of the world. However, since rediscovering him two years ago, I’ve been hooked—consuming his discography and catching him live whenever possible. From acoustic launches to the Royal Albert Hall, I’ve seen six shows in two years. I’d never attended a concert alone until I saw him at the Birmingham Utilita Arena; I stood there mesmerised, realizing you haven’t truly experienced James Arthur until you see him on stage. I knew then I’d be back.
A Night of High Stakes
Last night, I returned with my daughters. From the moment the crowd began cheering a lad in the terraces busting moves to the pre-show music, we knew we were in for a good night. Yet, there was an undercurrent of anxiety; James had been unwell, recently postponing his Nottingham show due to vocal struggles. Reading fan reviews, it was natural to wonder: how would he cope, and would it matter?
Those questions vanished the instant the show began with “Water.” It was immediately immersive, backed by spectacular visuals and a band on top form. James’s voice soared, even as he initially fought to be heard over the instruments while the sound levels were adjusted. The opening set was a masterclass in connection, featuring fan-favourites like “Sermon,” “Can I Be Him,” and “Empty Space.” A true highlight was the stunning duet of “Rewrite the Stars” with backing singer Yasmin Green, a talent who could easily own the stage in her own right.
Vulnerability as Strength
Throughout the night, James was visibly aware of his reliance on his team. He was apologetic about his voice, but the thing about James is that he sets the bar so high that even a “struggling” performance remains world-class. He took time to thank his band—sharing personal details like who had just had a baby—proving he sees them as family. It wasn’t just his show; it was a communal experience. In a moving tribute, he closed the section with “Cars Outside,” dedicated to his late driver, Wayne “Tank” Collins.
During a medley of “Certain Things”, “Safe Inside”, “Quite Miss Home”, and “A year Ago,” James moved through the crowd, waving and posing for selfies. He was doing what he does best: connecting. Though his illness forced him to cut a few Pisces tracks from the B-stage set, he made up for it with a soulful rendition of “Naked,” showcasing his vocal agility alongside his pianist, Dan Bingham..
The Gospel of “Train Wreck”
Back on the main stage, the energy shifted into something akin to a Gospel rally. As the band belted a medley that included a mixture of some of his old songs and well-known classics (“Treehouse”, “Medicine”, “New Tattoo,” “Miss Jackson,” “Shackles”, “Supposed,” “Get down”), it climaxed with an invitation from James for us to lift our hands to “Jesus, or God, or the universe.” It was a truly uplifting moment, fuelled by the incredible backing vocals of Yasmin Green, Frida Touray, and Mike Hough.
The joy continued with “Bitter Sweet Love” and a chaotic, wonderful “Karaoke” session where fans joined him on stage.
What followed — “Train Wreck”—felt less like a pop song and more like a modern Psalm. As a Christian, I saw it as a heart’s cry: “Pull me out of the train wreck.” It was a poignant moment; because his voice couldn’t carry the song alone, he leaned on the audience to get him through. It was a beautiful metaphor—none of us can get through life alone, and James is at peace with that.
The Grand Finale
The main set closed with “Impossible,” every note echoed by the crowd. For the encore, guitarist Ricky Ahir let rip on “Yeah, No” before the arena turned into a party for “Lasting Lover.” Finally, James introduced “Say You Won’t Let Go” with a humble apology: “If I could reimburse you all I would… I can’t sing this last song without you.”
Fifteen thousand voices rose to the challenge, carrying him to the finish. Those five minutes were a microcosm of the whole night. Music is good for the soul, but James’s music reaches deeper. It was more than a concert; it was an evening of catharsis. I hope that, along with James, everyone there found a little healing that night.
Halwill Publishing 