Jamie T is one of the most popular indie rock musicians in the UK. He burst onto the scene in 2007 with his debut album Panic Prevention and has gone on to release 5 studio albums, his most recent being The Theory of Whatever in 2022. Jamie T is known for his unique blend of indie rock, punk, pop, and hip hop sounds.
With each new album release, Jamie T embarks on extensive tours across the UK, Europe, and occasionally North America to promote his new music. His live shows are lively, high-energy affairs with Jamie T performing songs across his discography. As an established indie musician now several albums into his career, Jamie T has built up a loyal fanbase that flock to his shows. This raises the question – who is supporting Jamie T on tour?
Jamie T’s Backing Band
Jamie T does not perform alone. He has a talented 4-piece backing band that performs with him at every show:
- Ben Bones – Guitar
- Ralph Pelleymounter – Bass
- Bev Lee Harling – Drums
- Jesse James – Keyboard
This tight-knit group has been touring and recording with Jamie T for years. Ben Bones actually co-wrote songs on Jamie’s early albums. The backing band members are able to expertly play Jamie T’s diverse range of indie rock, punk and hip hop infused material, helping recreate Jamie’s songs in a live setting.
Opening Acts
At larger shows and festival appearances, Jamie T often has one or more opening acts that perform before he hits the stage. Opening acts are a great way to showcase up-and-coming talent. Here are some of the opening acts that have supported Jamie T on recent tours:
- Wet Leg – Buzzy UK indie rock duo Wet Leg opened a string of Jamie T’s shows in 2022 before the release of their self-titled debut album.
- Yard Act – Another emerging indie band from Leeds, Yard Act opened some of Jamie T’s dates on his 2022 UK tour.
- Willow Kayne – The teenage rock singer-songwriter performed acoustic sets opening for Jamie T in Manchester and Birmingham in 2022.
- Rina Mushonga – The Zimbabwe-born, UK-based singer Rina Mushonga opened select shows on Jamie T’s last European tour in 2021.
Jamie T uses his opening act slots to highlight talented emerging artists, especially those repping the indie rock and post-punk scene in the UK. Fans get to discover new bands, and the openers get exposure playing to large, energetic crowds.
Jamie T 2022 UK + Ireland Tour
To see all these elements come together, let’s take a specific look at Jamie T’s 2022 UK and Ireland tour in support of his latest album The Theory of Whatever. The tour hit 14 cities over the course of October and November.
Tour Dates and Locations
Here is each date and venue on Jamie T’s 2022 UK and Ireland tour:
Date | City | Venue |
---|---|---|
Oct 17 | Dublin, Ireland | 3Arena |
Oct 19 | Belfast, UK | SSE Arena |
Oct 21 | Glasgow, UK | OVO Hydro |
Oct 23 | Leeds, UK | First Direct Arena |
Oct 24 | Cardiff, UK | Motorpoint Arena |
Oct 26 | Birmingham, UK | Utilita Arena |
Oct 28 | London, UK | The O2 |
Oct 29 | Manchester, UK | AO Arena |
Nov 1 | Bournemouth, UK | Bournemouth International Centre |
Nov 3 | Nottingham, UK | Motorpoint Arena |
Nov 4 | Newcastle, UK | Utilita Arena |
Nov 5 | Liverpool, UK | M&S Bank Arena |
Nov 7 | Brighton, UK | Brighton Centre |
Nov 9 | Edinburgh, UK | Edinburgh Corn Exchange |
The tour hit major arenas and music venues across Ireland and the UK. Jamie T played multiple dates in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Setlist
Jamie T played a wide selection of songs from across his catalogue at each tour stop. Here is a typical setlist from the tour:
Song | Album |
---|---|
The Theory of Whatever | The Theory of Whatever |
Sticks N Stones | Carry On The Grudge |
Zombie | Panic Prevention |
Limits Lie | The Theory of Whatever |
Tescoland | Kings & Queens |
The Prophet | The Theory of Whatever |
Sheila | Carry on the Grudge |
If You Got the Money | Panic Prevention |
Basically | The Theory of Whatever |
Rabbit Hole | The Theory of Whatever |
The setlist included old favorites like “Zombie” along with newer tracks like “Basically” and “The Prophet” off Jamie’s latest record. He played his hits but wasn’t afraid to sprinkle in deep cuts for loyal fans.
Opening Acts
Most shows on the tour featured one or two opening acts who performed short sets prior to Jamie T and his band taking the stage. wet leg, Yard Act, and Willow Kayne were in heavy rotation opening for Jamie T throughout the tour:
- October 17 – Dublin: wet leg
- October 19 – Belfast: Willow Kayne
- October 21 – Glasgow: Yard Act
- October 23 – Leeds: wet leg
- October 24 – Cardiff: Willow Kayne
- October 26 – Birmingham: Yard Act
The buzzy indie bands aligned well with Jamie T’s fanbase and got the crowd excited to see the headliner. Jamie T used his platform to showcase these developing talents.
Why Touring Matters for Jamie T’s Career
Putting together a full production tour with his backing band, opening acts, equipment and lighting rigs is no small feat. So why does Jamie T continue to heavily tour behind each new album? There are several key reasons:
Promote His New Music
Going on tour is the best way for Jamie T to get his new music directly to fans. Playing songs from his latest record live helps drive interest, engagement and sales. His 2022 tour promoted The Theory of Whatever to crowds of excited listeners.
Establish Deeper Fan Connections
Seeing an artist live in concert forges a deeper connection between musician and listener. Fans get to experience Jamie T’s charismatic performing style up close. The live experience turns casual listeners into lifelong fans.
Build Buzz and Momentum
Media coverage, fan photos and videos spreading on social media, and word-of-mouth hype from shows work together to drive buzz around Jamie T during tour cycles. The momentum gained on tour can sustain an artist’s profile while working on new music.
Improve Skills as a Live Performer
The saying goes – musicians make records but touring makes bands. Playing show after show tightens Jamie T’s skills on stage and improves his live act. This pays dividends, as live performance is becoming an increasingly vital revenue stream for artists.
Conclusion
From his stellar backing band, to hot up-and-coming openers, to a varied setlist packed with hits and deep cuts, Jamie T’s 2022 UK and Ireland tour exemplified what makes him such an electrifying indie rock frontman. He continues to tour heavily behind each album to deliver his new music directly to loyal fans who love his live act. For Jamie T, touring helps build lasting relationships with listeners and sustains momentum during the cycles between recording studio albums. Fans are already eagerly awaiting where Jamie T will take his explosive live show when he returns to the road.