After a pretty quiet start to 2022 on the gig front it was great to see two such talented artists on the same bill at the BIC.

First up in the support slot was Sonia Stein who took to the stage in matching patterned jacket and trousers and delivered a short but well received set of songs that showed that she is super talented and looks ready to go all the way, hopefully it won’t be long before we see her back in Bournemouth headlining her own solo tour.

After a short break it was time for the main event, and you could feel the anticipation and excitement in the air as the lights went down on the opening night of a tour in support of the 2021 album It'll All Make Sense in the End.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

Opening with 4000 Miles, Medicine and Running Away the show was immediately off to a great start despite James admitting that he was feeling pretty nervous being back on stage.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

As understandable as that is he needn’t have worried as the crowd were behind him from the first note with the whole evening going down a storm.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

The set list included all of the tracks you would expect to hear including million seller Impossible the most successful ever single from the X-Factor series, Rewrite The Stars along with acoustic versions of Naked and the newer Emily from the latest album.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

James seamlessly moved between electric and acoustic guitars and microphone covering the entire stage to interact with the audience.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

All too soon it was time for Take It Or Leave It to bring the main set to a close but no one was leaving the venue before an encore that was duly delivered with Say You Won’t Let Go bringing the evening to an end.

Bournemouth Echo: Picture: rockstarimages.co.ukPicture: rockstarimages.co.uk

James has established himself as someone who can deliver as a live artist in front of ever bigger crowds and tonight at the BIC was no exception.

An excellent evening with the promise of many more to come as the tour progresses