Yesterday, May 4th at Arena Birmingham was the Free Radio Hits Live and wow was the show incredible!
Mabel kicked off the show with her hit single ‘Fine Line’ before heading into ‘Ring Ring’ which is originally with Jax Jones. Mabel and her dancers owned the stage and it was time for ‘Finders Keepers’; this was definitely the crowds favourite of her set. Sadly it was time for her last track of the night and where she performed her newest single ‘Don’t Call Me Up’. If you haven’t already, Mabel is a live act you need to see!
To continue this jam-packed night was Lewis Capaldi opening with ‘Bruises’. The singer then started talking to the crowd making jokes exclaiming that he has only had one big hit compared to all the other artists performing. He then went on to sing his latest single which was released on May 3rd called ‘Hold Me While You Wait’. Next on the set list for Lewis was ‘Grace’ which the audience was able to sing back to the Scottish singer. However, last but not least, was his hit single ‘Someone You Loved’ with the crowd’s phone flashlights lighting up the arena, the song went down perfectly for everyone.
Now it was up to Zara Larsson to carry on acing the Free Radio’s stage and she stole the show performing ‘Symphony’ and ‘Ruin My Life’. She owned the stage wearing a neon pink playsuit and her dancers wearing the same. Next on her set list was ‘Don’t Worry Bout Me’ and it was performed with an amazing choreographed dance routine. But to end her very pink set was her huge hit ‘Lush Life’.
Next on the line up was Brit Award winner Tom Walker singing ‘Angels’. He then treated us to his UK Top Ten single ‘Just You and I’, with his powerful voice he was able to move the audience through loving emotions as he explained that the song was written for his fiancée four years ago. Carrying on his performance was ‘Walk Alone’, which on digital download is also with Rudimental. Finalising his set was ‘Leave A Light On’.
After a short break was another solo artist; Ellie Goulding. Who performed her hit single ‘I Need Your Love’ and her newest single ‘Sixteen’. The crowd loved Ellie and kept dancing and singing along to the lyrics of ‘Close To Me’ and ‘Burn’. Unfortunately, ‘Love Me Like You Do’ was her last song and the crowd did not want it to end!
What's the craziest fan moment that @elliegoulding has experienced? ?? #HitsLiveBirmingham pic.twitter.com/KZHBNjRopj
— Free Radio (@wearefreeradio) May 4, 2019
It was now time for the youngest and newest performer HRVY and this got all of the younger crowd screaming and up on their feet. He started his short set with ‘I Told You So’ then went into his latest single ‘I Miss Myself’ which was again released on May 3rd. Sadly HRVY finished his set with his most well-known track ‘Personal’ and everybody in the crowd was dancing along with him and his dancers.
It was now finally time for the ex-One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson who performed ‘Just Hold On’ and the crowd was going crazy to see him perform, especially when he started singing the beginning to ‘Little Black Dress’ by One Direction. He then slowed things down for his final track ‘Two Of Us’ and whilst he was singing, everybody in the audience were in full support of the singer who got slightly emotional over the track.
Now it was time for the only boy band of the night, The Vamps. The boys started their set with ‘Wake up’ but their set was mainly based around their first album ‘Meet The Vamps’ as their second song was ‘Wild Heart’, Brad Simpson made sure that during the chorus of their first single the whole crowd was up on their feet singing and jumping along. Tristan then took the boys into ‘Can We Dance’ and even crowd members that did not know who The Vamps were was able to sing along to this well-known song. Brad then moved onto the piano to perform their latest single ‘Missing You’ from the ‘Missing You EP’, for the second time in the night the phone flashlight came out to light up the arena. They then carried on the party for their last track ‘All Night’, Tristan Evans on the drums, Connor Ball on bass, James McVey on lead guitar and Brad Simpson on lead vocals the boys put on an incredible set for the already excitable crowd.
However, to finish this unforgettable night was James Arthur. Starting with ‘Sun Comes Up’ James and his band made sure that the crowd was singing along to the lyrics. Next, for James, was ‘Empty Space’ which slowed the night down allowing the crowd to cool down after such a hot and busy night. He kept his set slow and downbeat as he performed a new song which is released on Friday, May 10th, ‘Falling Like The Stars’ and then one of his oldest tracks ‘Impossible’. The evening finished with James performing ‘Say You Won’t Let Go’ which was perfect for all of the couples in the audience.
Mint crowd in Birmingham, thanks for singing kids! https://t.co/QMymHkMCu4
— James Arthur (@JamesArthur23) May 4, 2019
So altogether Free Radio Hits Live was an amazing show but was not to end on a sad note; as Free Radio announced that tickets will be on sale for Free Radio Hits Live on Saturday, November 16th, and to make things even better the tickets are at early bird prices.