Olly Murs is the quintessential all-around entertainer, a showman in the truest sense of the word. He exudes enough star quality to make his performance feel more like a double headliner, as he opened for Take That at a sold-out Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.
Olly, the nation’s sweetheart for some 15 years, is a thoroughbred performer. Equally adept at singing, dancing, and getting tens of thousands of people moving, his personality is the intoxicating glue that binds everything together, creating a genuine star of stage and screen. For those who have only witnessed Olly perform via their illuminated living room screens, his live performance is proof that he is cut from the same cloth as the best British entertainers of the past 75 years.
From the moment he runs on stage, he is a ball of fun and energy that’s impossible not to love. Add to this his knack for penning infectious pop songs, and you have the recipe for 45 minutes of pure entertainment.
With a trademark swivel of the hips, he turns and we are catapulted into “Dance With Me Tonight.” The crowd responds to the instruction gladly, and the party vibe is well and truly underway. The energy is kept up with great covers of Chubby Checker’s “Let’s Twist Again” and The Isley Brothers’ “Shout,” all delivered with Olly’s now-familiar twinkle in the eye and cheeky smile.
The crowd is fully engaged, and Olly’s repertoire of hits, such as “Up,” is greeted with huge ovations. The set takes a brief respite as the performer dedicates “Dear Darlin'” to his beautiful and lost friend Caroline Flack, providing a lump-in-the-throat moment for all and a timely reminder to cherish these moments with your nearest and dearest.
Energy is quickly and fully restored with the crowd favorite “Heart Skips A Beat.” The final cover sees those in attendance lose their minds as the easily identifiable opening notes of “It Only Takes A Minute” ring out across the arena. We, of course, finish up with the almost half-a-billion-streamed “Troublemaker” before Olly bids us farewell.
Pure good vibes and pure fun for young and old.
Words & Images: Adie White (www.insragram.com/bristolnomad_gigphotography)
@thebristolnomad / @bristolnomad_gigphotography
Role: Photographer / Reviewer / Interviewer
Chief, the one that bugs the team for team for their reviews and images. Creator and founder of The Bristol Gig Guide. Can usually be found swamped in admin or getting cramp kneeling at the front of a gig.
Available for: Gig Shoots, Gig Reviews, Photo Shoots, Album and Single cover shoots, Videography work, Interviews and Touring
First attended gig: Republica, circa 1996.
First gig shot: Hands Off Gretel, at The Louisiana!
Dream gig: Huge metalhead and my ultimate dream gig would be shooting my heroes Slipknot at a huge stadium gig, or as festival headliners. And to experience shooting a headline tour outside the UK
