James Bay announces one-off gig to raise money for food banks
It takes place in November
James Bay has announced he will be doing a one-off gig to raise money for food banks this autumn. The singer, who released his third album 'Leap' last year, has teamed up with food bank donation platform Bankuet, and will do a gig at London’s Lafayette in Kings Cross.
Sharing the news on Instagram, James told his fans in a video: "I’m joining forces with food bank donation platform Bankuet to play a special show on November 7th at Lafayette in London. If you don't know Lafayette, come to the show, it's such a brilliant venue. I love that place!
"All of the profits will be going directly to UK food banks via Bankuet. It's just going to be me and an acoustic guitar."
Tickets for this gig are priced at £45, and will go on pre-sale on 18th October, with the general sale starting on Friday 20th October.
James also said of the collaboration: "I’m joining forces with Bankuet to help feed not only the growing number of people who are having to rely on food banks, but those on low incomes faced with the choice of heating or eating this winter.
"Despite the UK being the sixth richest country in the world, millions are struggling to access the food and personal items they need and are turning to food banks for support with Christmas presents this year. As a new dad, I cannot imagine what it feels like to be in that position, and I just wanted to do something to try and help."
Over the last few years, James had had several hits with the likes of 'Let It Go', 'Hold Back The River' and 'Us'.
How to buy tickets to see James Bay
You can buy tickets to see James Bay from Aloud.com from 10am on Friday 20th October.
Take a look through James Bay's career:
2013: James Bay released first EP and toured with Kodaline
James released his first EP 'The Dark of the Morning' in 2013 and also toured with the band Kodaline in the UK and Ireland.
2014: James Bay released 'Let It Go'
James Bay released 'Let It Go' in September 2014, the song was his first release from his second EP, as well being on debut studio album 'Chaos and the Calm', released in the same year.
'Let It Go' was a Top 10 song for James after it was re-released, following the success of 'Hold Back The River'.
2014: James Bay toured with Hozier
In 2014, James joined the band Hozier on tour, for their North America leg. He also released his debut album 'Chaos and the Calm' which was nominated for a Grammy Award, for Best Rock Album, while the song 'Hold Back the River' was nominated for Best Rock Song and Bay for Best New Artist.
2014: James Bay released 'Hold Back The River'
'Hold Back The River' was a huge success for James reaching Number 2 in the UK, it was also nominated for a Grammy and used in the film The Space Between Us.
2015: James Bay released 'Scars'
'Scars' was the third single released from James' debut album 'Chaos and the Calm' on 8th January 2015.
2015: James Bay had his first headline tour
After supporting bands on two tours it was his turn to be the headliner. In 2015 and 2016 he took his 'Chaos and the Calm Tour' on the road, performing in Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and more places around the UK.
2015: James Bay opens for Taylor Swift on her '1989' tour
James Bay joined Taylor Swift on her '1989' tour in 2015. It was also the year that he won the Critics' Choice BRIT Award and GQ Men of The Year's Breakthrough Solo Artist.
2016: James won a BRIT Award for British Male Solo Artist
James was nominated for four BRIT Awards in 2016, winning British Male Solo Artist. This would make it is second BRIT in total.
James also won an Ivor Novello Award - Most Performed Work for 'Hold Back The River', a Q Award for Best Solo Artist, and Echo Music Prize for Best International Newcomer.
2018: James Bay released 'Us'
James released 'Us' in 2018, both as a solo artist and a collab with Alicia Keys. The pair performed the song together on The Voice in 2018 and you can watch their performance here.
2018: James Bay joined The Rolling Stones on tour
In 2018, James also joined The Rolling Stones on their 'No Filter' tour.
2019: James Bay toured with Ed Sheeran
James Bay joined Ed Sheeran on the Europe leg of his '÷' Tour. James later reflected on the experience writing on Instagram: 'Our time on the #dividetour has finally come to an end. What a beautiful, brilliant summer it's been! 3 months of shows I will honestly never, ever forget. Can't give enough thanks to my band and crew for all the endless hard work, love and laughs during this chapter.'
2020: James Bay released 'Chew on My Heart'
In 2020, James released 'Chew On My Heart', the song didn't chart in the UK, however the music video has now had more than 5 million views on YouTube, since its release.
2022: James Bay releases comeback single, tour and album
James Bay released his comeback single 'Give Me The Reason' on 24th March 2022. He also teased a new album and had previously announced his tour.
James' tour will see him performing with his band for the first time in three years and taking to the stage in several locations across the UK.
2022: James Bay releases third album 'Leap'
On Friday 8th July, James dropped his hugely-antipcated third studio album titled 'Leap'. The album features 12 new songs including 'Give Me The Reason' and 'One Life'.
2023: James Bay announces a one-off charity gig
James Bay announced a one-off gig to raise money for food bank charity Bankuet. All profits from the gig go to the charity which works with food banks across the UK.
2024: Album number four and upcoming tour
2024 was another big year for the singer, with him teasing new music before revealing that his fourth album, 'Changes All the Time', would be released on 4th October. Prior to its release, James released two singles from his fourth album - 'Up All Night' with The Lumineers and Noah Kahan, and 'Easy Distraction'. James described the songs on his fourth album as the best music he's ever made, saying: "I believe in this music."
Not only that, but in building the anticipation of his fourth album the singer also announced UK & Ireland tour dates for 2025. James revealed that throughout February 2025, he would be performing in cities including Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin and London - taking on the world-renowned Wembley Arena.
2024: Announces several acoustic gigs to celebrate new music
To celebration of his new music, James announced several acoustic gigs which will take place across England and Scotland in September and October 2024 - starting in Dundee, before playing across the country and ending in Brighton in October.
Now read:
James Bay releases hugely-antipcated new album 'Leap'
James Bay opens up about working on new music
James Bay releases acoustic version of 'Give Me The Reason' along with new music video