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I kicked off my 2024 concert season with James Blunt – one of my all-time favorite artists! After a two-year break, I went to see him perform at Hamburg’s Barclays Arena. Just like two years ago, I went alone, and it was every bit as incredible as I remembered.
Ticket Details
I managed to get my ticket during the general sale. Although I preordered James’s new album (which came with early access), I wasn’t able to snag a ticket then. I ended up getting a seat in section U15, row 3, seat 3, for €78. My spot was on the right side of the arena on the first level, which I actually preferred. Sitting on the side gives me a great view even when everyone stands, whereas on the floor, as a shorter person, I tend to struggle to see the stage once people are up and dancing!
The Timeline
One great thing about seated concerts is that you can arrive without any rush. The show was set to start at 8 PM, so I got to the venue at a relaxed 7:30 PM. Here’s how the night went:
7:30 PM: Arrived at Barclays Arena
8:00 PM: The Tors took the stage as the opening act
9:00 PM: James Blunt’s performance began
10:35 PM: Show wrapped up
The Setlist
The setlist was an excellent mix of songs from the new album along with some of his classic hits. I loved every bit of it, though, as a longtime fan, there are lesser-known favorites of mine that didn’t make it into the setlist. (You can check out the full setlist here).
The Audience
I have to admit, I went in with low expectations for the Hamburg crowd. During the 2022 concert, the audience felt a bit subdued, especially compared to what you might expect in London. But this time, they really stepped it up! The second James hit the stage, everyone stood up, and people were dancing and doing their best to sing along. While it’s tough to compete with native English-speaking audiences, Hamburg definitely brought the energy.
The Venue
Barclays Arena is a solid venue, well-located and easy to reach by public transportation. Since I was in the seating area, the lines for drinks and restrooms around me were pretty long, so I just grabbed some merch and skipped the rest. The standing section, though, has more food and drink stands, so the lines there tend to move faster.
All in all, James Blunt in Hamburg was an incredible start to my concert season, and I’m already looking forward to seeing him again – next stop, London!