On Thursday night hundreds of Jamie T fans piled into the O2 Apollo Manchester for one of the final UK shows of the London born singer-songwriter’s much anticipated Trick tour.

There was no messing around as Jamie T launched into the show with, ‘Power Over Men’, its punchy chorus getting the crowd moving and setting the bar for an unpredictable and energetic set. Anticipation and excitement remained high as chit-chat was minimum, Jamie instead strumming a few chords between each number, looking back to his band with a grin before launching into the next hit.

Fans were kept happy with old favourites ‘Sheila’ and ‘If You Got The Money’; only catching their breath as Jamie played his slower anthems – ‘The Prophet’ and ‘Sign of the Times’- a chance for the singer to explore the darker and more ambitious themes from his later albums.

An abrupt ending following the tongue-in-cheek banger ‘Sticks ‘N’ Stones’ was greeted with chants and an encore – a cover of Beatles song ‘Blackbird’ and crowd pleaser ‘Back in the Game’. Fans were left satisfied as Jamie finished with the electric number ‘Zombie’; shouting along to the catchy chorus before the gig finally ended and the lights in the Apollo came up.

Rowdy fans, undeniable showmanship, and a perfectly crafted set of old and new material- factors that made Jamie T’s gig in Manchester an unforgettable one.

Alethea Norman-Rhodes

(Image: Gigslutz)