Once the doors swung open at 6:30pm sharp, you could feel there was a different kind of atmosphere within the venue. James Arthur started his show in a different kind of way; instead of a traditional upcoming artist support slot, the evening began with a DJ set, warming the crowd up with their favourite hits.

The DJ slowly stepped onto the stage to a packed room, immediately setting a welcoming, warm and joyful tone. The set wasn’t messy or club-heavy; he clearly knew James’s audience and blasted the hits, old and new. It felt curated. Blending a set of Olivia Dean, Kesha and Dua Lipa, giving the audience what they yearn for. The set was steady and not overpowering, giving fans time to grab drinks and find their seats, but it immediately pulled everyone's attention to the stage. By the final tracks, the lighten has darkened, setting the emotional tone where the crowd transitioned from chatty to movement. The DJ wasn’t just a ‘support’ but prepared the crowd to give James everything they had in them.

As the lights dimmed, the stage visuals lit up the room, the first drum beat hit, while a loud roar rippled throughout the audience. 

James Arthur opened with stride and confidence while singing ‘Water’ with visuals that made you feel like part of the song and show, stepping into the spotlight, demonstrating how he’s been evolving tour by tour. The ‘Pisces’ era leans into emotionality and introspection that was immediately recognised on stage. Deep water visuals poured down the backdrop screens, immersing you within the track, bringing you into his world visually.

Vocally, he was flawless; there’s always been a beautiful rasp to Arthur's voice, giving it that raw, textured tone which he learnt to control. He knows when to power through and pull back if needed. Early tracks stabilised power and restraint, allowing the crowd to slowly go through the journey rather than launching them into the deep end. 

The middle was an emotional part of the show, which really took shape. Stripping back old tracks with a spotlight on Arthur alone, portraying the rawness. Throughout this section, he walked through the crowd singing old tracks while immersing himself into the crowd in an intimate upclose way. Excitement ran through the room as Arthur approached each section of the arena. This is what made this show so special compared to other arena shows. It was unique. 

The setlist was thoroughly throughout keeping emotions steady throughout each section, preventing a rollercoaster effect. After the emotionally heavy middle, the energy rises again with full band and upbeat dance tracks. The ‘Pisces’ tracks were layered perfectly, translating beautifully in a live atmosphere with powerful backing vocalists in perfect harmony. 

What stood out was how happy and comfortable Arthur seemed throughout the show. There was no forced crowd work, and all came naturally alongside a little bit of humour to make the crowd giggle alongside him. Throughout the show, he thanked fans on many occassions knowing he wouldn’t be where he is without the support of thousands. 

Before the encore started, the audience was waiting and screaming in anticipation, patiently waiting for Arthur's reappearance. He reminded the crowd that love is stronger than anything else throughout the entire show. The last few songs had everyone up on their feet and became one full sing-along, blending thousands of voices into something bigger than the performance. It wasn’t just loud, but emotionally beautiful. 

The ‘Pisces’  Tour relies on connection, emotional regulation and connection. From carefully picking the perfect DJ to the details that make a fan leave feeling like they attended a life-altering event. The night felt like a story rather than a tracklist. 

James Arthur has always been able to hit your emotional side in minutes. On this tour, he goes further than that, bringing you into his mind and life in an impressive way.