James Blunt and The Great Leslie at Stimmen-Festival - 2 August 2024

«This is the miserable section of the concert», says James Blunt at the beginning of his STIMMEN-Festival show, tongue firmly in cheek. He laments that he always wanted to be a rock star, but ended up sitting behind a piano and writing sad songs instead. And indeed, it's undeniable that Blunt's repertoire includes many a melancholy ballad. But the surprise at a James Blunt concert is that you find out just how many uptempo songs he has recorded.

From the ukulele-led «Postcards» to «Stay The Night» and «Bonfire Heart», the audience is bopping away to these buoyant tracks, with Blunt's band providing energy and pizzazz. A cover of Slade's «Coz I Luv You» is the singer's chance to crowdsurf and live out his rock star dreams.

But of course it's the ballads that made Blunt famous, and he sprinkles them in throughout the concert. «You're Beautiful» has been so overplayed that it's impossible to hear it with fresh ears, and the song doesn't fully stand the test of time. The equally ubiquitous «Goodbye My Lover» still works, however, and the more recent «Dark Thought» is a heartfelt tribute to Blunt's friend Carrie Fisher.

Other highlights include «High» and «Same Mistakes», and Blunt closes out the show with «1973», with the audience singing along to every word.

Support act The Great Leslie immediately capture the audience's attention with an indie rock swagger reminiscent of Franz Ferdinand. Blessed with a charismatic stage presence, the UK band tear through their set with obvious joy.

Fun fact: guitarist Freddie Miles comes from Huttingen, not far from the Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhein (where this concert is taking place). After the show, the band thank the STIMMEN «for letting one German lad realize his dreams of playing at his local festival.»

Just one of many heartwarming moments on this evening at the STIMMEN-Festival.

- Anna Wirz

Photos of James Blunt are here.

Photos of The Great Leslie are here.