Review by Markus Hamence – James Blunt – Performance date: Tuesday 28 October 2025. Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, South Australia
James Blunt: ‘Back To Bedlam’ 20th Anniversary Tour – Heart, humour, and the hits we love. Presented by Destroy All Lines.
Adelaide was ready to feel again, and James Blunt didn’t disappoint. Rolling into the Entertainment Centre with that cheeky grin and a catalogue that could fill a generation’s playlist, Blunt gave the City of Churches a night that was pure connection – no smoke and mirrors, just songs that hit where it matters.
The crowd was a cocktail of long-time fans, date-night duos and those who’ve hummed ‘You’re Beautiful’ in the car more times than they’ll admit. From the opening notes, Blunt owned the room – part storyteller, part comedian, part emotional assassin. His banter was razor-sharp (“Yes, I’m the guy who ruined your wedding playlist”), his band faultless, and his voice? Still soaring, still cutting straight through.
“…no tricks, no filters, just pure, lived-in honesty that silenced the crowd…”
– Markus Hamence
‘Goodbye My Lover’”’ felt like a collective exhale, ‘Monsters’ stripped the noise to nothing but heartache and truth, and ‘Bonfire Heart’ lifted the roof clean off. The visuals were simple but effective – golden lighting, warm tones, a setup that said: this is about the music, not the ego.
Go-Jo – The Warm-up With Wattage
Before Blunt even hit the stage, it was Go-Jo – and Adelaide was all in. The Perth-born pop rebel brought pure energy, serving up a punchy set that screamed confidence. There’s a charisma to Go-Jo that feels like the future of Australian pop – cheeky, self-aware, a bit wild around the edges but in all the right ways.
“There’s a charisma to Go-Jo that feels like the future of Australian pop…”
– Markus Hamence
He strutted through his set with infectious charm, giving us that Eurovision-ready track ‘Milkshake Man’ and a few moments that turned the early crowd into instant fans. Go-Jo’s vibe was the perfect contrast to Blunt’s polish – fresh, fun, and fizzing with next-gen energy.
The Highlights:
1. The voice still cuts through
Two decades on and Blunt’s vocals are as sharp and emotive as ever. He delivered ‘You’re Beautiful’ and ‘Monsters’ with spine-tingling precision – no tricks, no filters, just pure, lived-in honesty that silenced the crowd.
2. Banter with bite
Nobody does self-deprecating charm like James Blunt. Between tracks he roasted himself, the audience, and fame itself with that British wit that had Adelaide laughing as much as singing.
3. Sound and staging – simple perfection
The lighting was warm and understated, a glowing contrast to the usual arena chaos. It felt intimate, cinematic, and refreshingly focused on the music rather than the madness.
4. Go-Jo’s electric opener
Go-Jo stormed the stage with that signature ‘Milkshake Man’ swagger – playful, high-energy, and very now. He worked the early crowd like a pro, proving why Australia’s watching him as the next big thing in pop.
5. Connection over spectacle
By the night’s end, Blunt had turned a full arena into one big choir. No lasers, no costume changes – just emotion, melody and connection. Adelaide left buzzing, hearts full, voices hoarse.
“He doesn’t need to prove anything; he just turns up, tells stories, sings beautifully…” – Markus Hamence
The Verdict
James Blunt in 2025 is an artist completely comfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t need to prove anything; he just turns up, tells stories, sings beautifully, and leaves you feeling that lovely ache only great live music can stir.
Adelaide got the real deal – humour, honesty and heart wrapped in one golden night. And with Go-Jo kicking things off, it felt like watching two generations of songwriters at different stages of the same emotional journey. A perfectly balanced night of melody and meaning.
Rating:
Polished, playful, and packed with feeling.
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