In one of the most iconic music venues imaginable, James Arthur delivered a stunningly beautiful performance in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust.

The evening began with a powerful, grunge-infused performance from Venus Grrrls. The all girl five-piece from the North East of the UK delivered a spellbinding set to open the show, made even more impactful after learning the story of their lead singer, Grace. 

Between their performance and the headline act, the audience watched Grace’s story of battling cancer as a teenager, fighting her way back to health, and returning to the stage to reunite with her self-proclaimed sisters and best friends. 

Thanks to the wonderful care she received and the support of the Teenage Cancer Trust, Grace is now proudly sharing her journey with the world, a passion evident in their performance. Her personal connection to the charity served as a touching tribute to the nurses and care teams who supported her through diagnosis and treatment, crediting them with providing warmth through the most difficult days of her life. 

Following the video of Grace’s journey, the evening’s host was joined on stage by a group of teens and young adults from across the country who had also battled cancer and were attending the event for a backstage experience with James. Taking center stage, one of the teens, Claudia, reminded the audience of why the trust’s work is so vital. An average of seven young people a day are diagnosed with cancer, an earth-shattering statement that turns the entire world as you know it upside down. Fighting cancer is a journey that, as Claudia so eloquently put it, does not end with the last treatment. She expressed her deep gratitude for the ongoing support provided by the trust, emphasising how crucial it is to feel supported even when returning to a semblance of normal life. A particularly special moment came just before the teens left the stage when the host asked the audience to illuminate their phone torches, showering the iconic venue in a sky full of stars. It was unimaginable to think of the hardships these young people had endured, but for a moment everything was magical.

After a final thank you and a huge round of applause for this brave group,  James Arthur took the stage. Greeted by roaring fans, the crowd erupted as the intro to Bitter Sweet Love played through the sold-out hall. The audience was immediately on their feet, dancing at his request, before bouncing and waving hands carried them through his hit ‘Sermon’ with Shotty Horroh.

Throughout the night James’ gratitude for his fans was always made abundantly clear. He repeatedly took moments to connect with the audience, touching his heart and shaking his head in disbelief looking up at the crowd to take in the magnitude of the event. Making a point to acknowledge those in the restricted-view areas, walking to the farthest corners of the stage to deliver poignant lines directly to them. Whether by reaching out to hold the hand of an emotional audience member during Quite Miss Home or stopping mid-speech to receive a gift from a fan marked for Emily, his beloved daughter, his sincerity was palpable. “That’s how you get me,” he joked in reference to receiving things from fans not for himself, but for his daughter.