There are pop shows… and then there’s whatever magic Olly Murs bottled up and unleashed in Leeds last night. A mix of cheeky showmanship, soulful throwbacks, and neon-lit chaos, the night doubled as a celebration of his nearly two-decade career and a love letter to fans who’ve been with him since the X Factor days.
But before Olly took the reins, it was time for a very early 2000s revival…
Blue Bring the Boy Band Feels (And a Lot of Blue Lighting)
Stepping out like the pop royalty they are, Blue reminded us why they dominated UK charts back in the day—and why they’re still worthy of a big stage in 2025. Opening with slick spotlight action and a backdrop teasing what looked like Elton John in black and white, the lads wasted no time jumping into fan faves.
“Leeds, should we take it up a notch?” Simon Webbe shouted—and they did, launching into All Rise, One Love, and Guilty like no time had passed at all. During Gotta Read Between the Lines, the arena turned into a sea of phone torches and blue strobes, a low-key spiritual moment if ever we’ve seen one.
Yes, there were mic stand mishaps. Yes, there were slightly wobbly harmonies in places. But did that matter? Absolutely not. The charisma was intact, the nostalgia was heavy, and the crowd—spanning original Blue fans to Gen Z tagalongs—sang every word.
They even teased a 25th-anniversary tour. Don’t sleep on it.
Olly Murs: A Showman, A Sentimentalist, A Slightly Clumsy Legend
When the futuristic countdown dropped and Olly Murs smashed through a digital timeline of his career before appearing in full swagger at the back of the stage—top hat and all—you just knew it was about to get silly in the best way.
Within three songs, he’d already slid across the stage, flung his hat, taken a selfie with a fan, tripped on the stairs, and declared, “Oh no, this is gonna end up on TikTok, isn’t it?” Classic Murs.
Highlights? Too Many to Count
- The 80s medley—complete with Never Gonna Give You Up and I’m So Excited—was a full arena karaoke session. Olly dashed around the stage treadmill like a kid at a soft play centre, pausing only for hugs and banter.
- “Dear Darlin’” brought tears and torches as Olly opened up about loss, including a heartfelt nod to Caroline Flack. Stripped back with just piano, it was one of the night’s most powerful moments.
- “Army of Two” was a pyro-fuelled rebuke to recent media chatter. “Apparently I’m not huggable,” he said with a smirk making reference to the recent reports about his change in body shape. “You lot are my army.”
- The big reveal: Olly shared that he’s not just a proud dad already—he’s got another baby on the way. Cue the collective “awww” across the arena.
And let’s not forget the unreleased single “Save Me”, which was performed live only for the tour. A bold move, but the kind of exclusive that made the night feel like a true one-off.
The Vibe: Cheeky Chaos with a Heart
Fashion-wise, the crowd brought comfy glam, plenty of sparkles, oversized denim jackets, and a sea of cowboy boots (clearly the Beyoncé influence is still going strong). The arena pulsed with joy, from balcony-dancers to pint-wielding dads singing Dance With Me Tonight like their lives depended on it.
Olly’s band also got their moment, complete with a WhatsApp-group-reveal of an embarrassing backstage pic that made the singer bury his face in mock horror. It’s these daft, charming bits that remind us why his fans are still ride-or-die after all these years.
Olly Murs didn’t just put on a show, he put on a full-blown pop theatre experience, packed with humour, heart, and heat. Whether you came for the vocals, the dad dancing, or the confetti explosions, Leeds got all of the above and more.
And with Blue setting the scene, it felt like a night where generations of pop collided and left arm-in-arm, screaming lyrics into the night.
0 Comments