Mondays are undeniably tough. You’re dragging yourself out of the bliss of the weekend and straight into the grind of the week. But this Monday was different for James TW fans in Manchester—it was the night of his magical gig that turned the weekday blues into something extraordinary.
After touring as the opening act for his mate Shawn Mendes on the European leg of the Illuminate World Tour, James is now stepping out on his own, and naturally, Manchester made the cut. Fans gathered eagerly, waiting for the young British singer-songwriter to hit the stage, and let me tell you, he didn’t just show up—he absolutely delivered.
Kicking off the night with Naked from his debut EP First Impressions, the track set the mood with its bluesy vibe and catchy rhythm. Sure, it’s not the strongest song on his list, but it had the crowd singing along straight away. From there, James took things to a whole new level, weaving in hits like Sanctuary, Black and Blue, 10K Hours, and Ex. He even gave fans a sneak peek of unreleased songs like Two People, Suitcase, and Money.
And then, there was Ceasefire, which he cleverly mashed up with the chorus of Timbaland and OneRepublic’s Apologize. The lyrics melted together so seamlessly that you’d think it was one song, leaving the audience cheering for more.
One of the most unforgettable moments came when James stepped off the stage for his cover of Torn. There was no microphone, just him and his guitar, standing in the middle of the crowd. He asked everyone to hush, and as the first notes rang out, his voice filled the silenced room. It felt raw, intimate, and like he was singing directly to you.
James doesn’t just sing—he tells stories. Before performing When You Love Someone, he shared the touching inspiration behind the song. He used to teach music to kids after school and met an 11-year-old boy whose parents were about to get divorced. The boy didn’t know yet, but James did, and he couldn’t help but wonder how anyone could explain something so difficult in a way that wouldn’t hurt him. That thought turned into this beautiful song, and hearing James tell the story made it even more moving.
The night wrapped up with For You, his newest single. It had only been released a week earlier, but the crowd sang along as if it had been a part of their lives forever. It was the perfect ending to a performance that was both intimate and unforgettable.
James TW is one of those rare artists who can make you feel seen and heard through his music. His soulful voice, heartfelt lyrics, and the genuine connection he creates with his audience make it clear that he’s going places. If this Manchester gig is anything to go by, he’s not just a rising star—he’s a future household name.
