LIVE REVIEW: Elliot James Reay @ Co-op Live, Manchester

We spend the majority of our evenings hopping between the sweaty basement venues that keep the local scene alive, scouring smaller shows for the best new emerging talent across the north-west. However, every once in a while it’s a good for us to experience the other end of the spectrum and sample the very biggest stars performing in sold out stadiums to get a taste of the shows the bands we cover dream of playing.

Photo Credit: @okaynicolita

What better opportunity to do this than when a local Manchester artist has earned a shot at supporting one of the biggest global stars. Having gained a beloved following online for his transportive 50s aesthetic, Bury-born Elliot James Reay, recently got handed the biggest show of his life, playing to a sold out hometown arena audience supporting none other than one of America’s biggest new pop sensations, Benson Boone, at Co-Op Live… two nights in a row! 

Although we were aware of Elliot, our familiarity with his discography and performance was minimal. We knew that his trademark vintage style aimed at bringing the smooth 50s sound to a modern audience, but wow… we were not prepared for the charisma and magnetism that his music exuded. Playing a mix of classic crooner covers and his own swooning singles, he strutted around the stage with an Elvis-like swagger.

At first we wondered why he wasn’t using much of the huge stage but it soon became clear; he didn’t need to come closer to the crowd to maintain attention, he simply need to sing in the middle of the spotlight and the attention of the whole room was drawn to him. His nostalgic charm was an immediate hit with the audience, in fact we haven’t seen a crowd warm to a support act so quickly and so fully as we did this night.

It was fantastic to see such a young audience warming to his vintage style. Singalongs and clapping chants ensued as everyone in the room was behind him while he barrelled through a wonderfully slick set. This performance confirmed that the Rockin’ 50s are back and Elliot James Reay is leading that charge!