Olly Murs / Loveable Rogues / I Am Titch

A night full of screaming girls, flashing lights, bunny ears and Trilbys, not my idea of heaven, especially when it's prepubescent girls screaming at a previous X-factor contestant.

Well, How wrong was I? Olly Murs hit Birmingham on Tuesday night, finally, after a hiccup and nearly being stuck in Germany, only to be saved by Easyjet.

I thought "Olly Murs selling out the LG Arena, never," but in actual fact he was only 500 short of selling the venue out.

T-shirts were selling for £25 and 'I Love Olly' foam hands were £12, seemed a bit over-priced to me, but hey it's the way the stars rake the cash in these days, it's all about the merchandise baby.

Seas and seas of girls, which I guess is what it's all about, signs and T-shirts with 'I'm Mrs Murs' on, which was funny. I've been their myself with David Cassidy and The Osmonds, and don't say never heard of them (LOL).

The arena tonight was packed, the stage protruded out into the crowd and to be honest I didn't realise how immense the stage was until the black curtain dropped to the floor.

Murs support tonight was from I Am Titch, who had an amazing voice, she sang to a backing track and occasionally accompanied herself with the piano, cracking voice with some memorable tunes.

The second support slot went to a band who had frequented Britain's Got Talent called Loveable Rogues, I'd never heard of them basically cause I'm not really a fan of Britain's Got talent, I only know the cute dog won (LOL). Again brilliant tone and quite good fun to watch.



But it was all about the cute guy from XFactor whom everybody loved to love.

The show tonight would finish early as the mainstay of the audience were kids and obviously it was a school night. Murs obviously isn't in the same league as Bieber, he actually does care about his fans and relishes the prospect of being the centre of attention on the big stage.

Accompanied by 14 other photographers in the pit tonight, with just an 18" gap in some places to manoeuvre through that was a task in its self.

The black curtain dropped down at 8.45pm and the whole place erupted in to one high pitched scream, Christ alive, thought my ear drums were gonna blow out.

The stage was immense, two gigantic screens, with a band anyone would be proud of, Brass section, drummer, amazing backing singers, the works, the trademark Olly Murs logo took stage centre and lite up, it colossal.

Murs arrived centre stage and it was like Blackpool Illuminations, hit after hit after hit. I know his singing isn't pitch perfect, but what he lacks in vocal talent he makes in pure raw energy on stage, he is a pure entertainer, reminded me of how Robbie Williams conducts himself on stage, 'A Pure Showman' all I could think was my Mother-in-law or 12 year old Nephew would love this.

A 22 song spectacular was about to ensue, kicking off with 'Army of Two', 'Dance With Me Tonight' and 'Personal', I think people forget that Murs is on his third album now and he's an old hand at this.



Highlights of the night were 'Busy' where he could show off his talents on his guitar, and the Covers section with 'Should I stay or Should I Go' and 'A Town Called Malice', Mur's showed tonight he truly is a likeable fella and very talented too, even giving us a blast on the piano with such songs as 'Dear Darlin' and 'One of These days.

I've had the opportunity to meet the guy once and he was lovely, such a gent, lets hope he keeps his feet on the ground and continues to do what he's good at and ENTERTAIN.

Obviously the best songs were left till last, talk about hysteria, 'Right Place Right Time', my favourite 'Heart Skips A Beat' and showstopper 'Troublemaker'.

If I wasn't a fan before I definitely am now.

Mr Murs, you certainly know how to put on show, and you deserve all the adoration cause it seems you really appreciate your fans.

What a show, I know you probably think how cheesy, Olly Murs is actually good, Well, yes he is, you need to see him live to find out.

FUTURE GIGS