James Bay’s Los Angeles stop was full of high energy guitar solos, intimate moments, and soulful ballads as he rocked The Bellwether. Though he’s primarily known for much slower songs about love and heartbreak, this tour was celebrating his latest stint of upbeat records, including “Up All Night,” featuring Noah Kahan and The Lumineers. His recent duet with Sheryl Crow also proved to be an immediate hit with the audience as he performed a solo version of the track. 

Even as he returned to the slower material that helped him rise to fame, I was amazed at how much energy he injected into the ballads. As he began the opening riff to “Let It Go,” the overhead lights trained on a disco ball mounted on the floor behind him, sending pockets of light cascading across the venue. This beautiful artistic flare seemed to touch everyone in attendance, even as he carried into “If You Ever Want To Be In Love.” He prompted the audience to sing the chorus back to him halfway through the song, engaging the audience even further. 

He finished the night with a three-song encore, including “Hold Back the River.” Overall, James Bay’s combination of touching, heartfelt lyrics, authentic ballads, and highly technical guitar showmanship spoke to Los Angeles in a way only he could.