Wonderfront Festival featuring T-Pain, Abby Anderson, I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, MK, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Surf Mesa, Sun Room, Fiji Blue, Kid Bloom, Healy, Próxima Parada, and Meridian in San Diego, CA May 10 - 12, 2024. All photos taken by Raven Kendall.
Abby Sage (with support from spiderblush) performing at El Cid in Los Angeles, CA on May 6, 2024. All photos taken by Kayla Alise.
BeachLife Festival featuring Incubus, ZZ Top, Pepper, Santigold, Steel Pulse, Local Natives, and DEVO in Redondo Beach, CA May 3 - 5, 2024. All photos taken by Raven Kendall.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise performing at Roadrunner in Boston, MA on May 14, 2024. All photos taken by Julia Finocchiaro.
Bombay Bicycle Club performing at Brooklyn Bowl in Las Vegas, NV on May 12, 2024. All photos taken by Melody J. Myers.
G Flip (with support from Kat Cunning and Peyton Shay) performing at The Observatory in Santa Ana, CA on May 8, 2024. All photos taken by Ashley Crichton.
Jesse McCartney (with support from Just Seconds Apart) performing at Brooklyn Bowl in Philadelphia, PA on April 23, 2024. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Dylan performing at The Foundry in Philadelphia, PA on April 14, 2024. All photos taken by Cami Liberty.
Aidan Bissett (with support from Casey Baer) performing at Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn, NY on May 7, 2024. All photos taken by Catherine Herber.
From Ashes to New (with support from Point North) performing at Gramercy Theatre in New York City on May 6, 2024. All photos taken by Samantha Crowley.
Better Lovers (with support from SeeYouSpaceCowboy, Foreign Hands, and Greyhaven) performing at Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, BC on May 4, 2024. All photos taken by Emma-Jane Dotchuk.
A.J. Croce performing at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, DE on May 3, 2024. All photos taken by Betsy Brody.
Juliet Ivy performing at The Echo in Los Angeles, CA on May 2, 2024. All photos taken by Olive Jolley.
The iconic Wiltern provided the perfect backdrop for James Arthur's recent sold-out show in Los Angeles. The palpable excitement was evident before stepping inside, with a long line of fans stretching down the block. Once inside the venue, the buzzing atmosphere only intensified as the show commenced.
While Arthur is primarily celebrated for his poignant ballads and soul-stirring vocals, his performance was infused with a playful and upbeat spirit that contrasted with his soulful musical style. The singer-songwriter commanded the stage with an animated presence that traveled throughout the venue, getting the whole crowd to their feet.
The setlist showcased a seamless blend of Arthur's hits and some well-chosen covers, each rendered with his flawless vocals. He kicked off the show with “Bitter Sweet Love,” immediately drawing the audience into the performance and starting the show off on a high note. A personal highlight for me was “Rewrite The Stars,” a song that has always resonated with me and was incredible to experience live. He captivated the crowd with back-to-back covers of Christina Perri's “A Thousand Years” and Shontelle's “Impossible,” showcasing his versatility and vocal prowess.
A standout aspect of the night was Arthur's sense of humor. He playfully teased the audience, at one point convincing everyone that Anne-Marie was about to join him on stage as a special guest. These lighter, humorous moments provided an entertaining counterpoint, contrasting the somber tones of his music and keeping the energy up.
Perhaps most touching was the genuine affection Arthur displayed towards his fans. An artist who truly seems to be enjoying their performance and connecting with the crowd goes a long way in my enjoyment of a performance, and Arthur certainly did both. At the end of the show, he repeatedly interacted with the audience, blowing kisses and waving long after most artists would have exited the stage. It was a heartfelt acknowledgement of the fans' support. At one point, he even dedicated a song to a fan in the audience who had just beaten cancer after a very long battle with it. It really illustrated the amount that he cares about knowing his fans' stories.
James Arthur's Wiltern performance was a wonderful mix of musical prowess, playful humor, and genuine audience connection. He demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his craft while creating a solid relationship with his fans. He closed the show with “Say You Won't Let Go,” leaving a lasting emotional impression on everyone who attended.
Words and photos by Ashley Crichton
Mariah The Scientist performing at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale, FL on April 28, 2024. All photos taken by Lantz Martin.
Project GLOW Festival featuring Wax Motif, Said The Sky, TroyBoi, and Nostalgix in Washington, DC on April 28, 2024. All photos taken by Emma Zanger.
Ellis (with support from Burs and Heavy Sweater) performing at Hard Luck Bar in Toronto, ON on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Carly Boomer.
Thy Art Is Murder performing at The Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, CA on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Adriana Torres.
Greta Van Fleet (with support from Mirador) performing at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, MO on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Kaleigh Gieraltowski.
Corina Smith performing at Mad Club in Miami, FL on April 27, 2024. All photos taken by Lantz Martin.
