Review: James Arthur - Manchester Ritz

By rights former X Factor winner James Arthur should be not as successful as he currently is after all the turmoil he went through after his initial success and rantings on Twitter.

You have to admit that there is something about him that has drawn the sell out audience tonight: perhaps he is the underdog, someone the fans can relate to, just one of them or even a rebel perhaps. That he has a great stage presence and voice adds to his appeal too.

The tour is entitled The Story so Far. On tonight's showing there will be plenty more chapters. He arrives on stage with his band looking part Eminem and part pop star. With his shades on and baseball cap worn back to front he looks more like he has come from America rather than Middlesbrough,

He opens up with Yore Nobody Til Somebody Loves You and then goes straight into Bad Company. He prowls the stage like a tiger and seems surprised by the strong and warm reaction he receives from the fans.

He sings his big European hit Impossible mid set and tells the audience how the song took him around the world.

There are a few cover versions too such as Adele's Hometown Glory and Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball.

With the demons now behind him he looks more assured and sounds positive about his future musical career.

He finishes the gig with Get Down. On this showing it looks like he's far from going down pop's lofty ladder.