James Marriott - Don't Tell The Dog Concert Review Leeds / Calum Bowie / Esme Emerson 5/11/25

sarah fisher
Nov 8, 2025
5 min read

Updated: Nov 10, 2025

James Marriott dramatically appeared on stage at the o2 Academy Leeds with such stage presence in dramatic lighting wearing all black. It was like a theatrical performance and we are here for it!

James Marriott looking stronger than ever at o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25 on his 'Don't Tell The Dog' tour.

Since seeing James at the Stylus, a smaller venue in Leeds last January, he’s levelled up to become this icon. He’s always had the best fans and been an icon to those who love him, whether it be from his funny YouTube videos or as a musician but now he is becoming iconic to the world and his stage presence shows this. I can see him headlining festival main stages before long.

James Marriott wearing a cowboy hat, pointing and singing to the crowd at o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

James had two artists opening the show for him, ‘Calum Bowie’ who has a UK tour starting February’26 and ‘Esme Emerson’ whose UK tour starts May’26. Both acts got the crowd going. Calum had the fans singing along to his own songs and covers from Chappell Roan. He’s a fantastic singer songwriter and his acoustic set went down a storm. Esme’s set was beautiful and elegant. Their songs were so poetic and easy to listen to. Both artists were the perfect build-up to James Marriott’s set, as their sound and lyrics fit well with James’s own.

Calum Bowie opening for James Marriott at o2 Academy Leeds with an acoustic set 5/11/25.

Esme Emerson opening for James Marriott at o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

The show kicks off with James appearing from the dark to perform ‘Ventriloquist’ with dramatic white lighting, leaving the stage still mostly in the dark, the rest of the band slowly appear on stage. The show already feels like nothing I’ve ever seen before from James. He appears with such confidence and pride. He said himself that he has been off it the last few times in Leeds, with not being at full fitness and having voice loss issues, so I believe this was his chance to show Leeds what he is capable of, and that he did!

James Marriott o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25 performing 'Ventriloquist' from his new album and tour title "Don't Tell The Dog'.

The vibe then goes off with his catchy banger of a song ‘Somethings Wrong’. The whole crowd knows every word. To be honest, the crowd sings along throughout the entirety of the show.

James Marriott singing and hiding into a microphone surrounded by dramatic red lighting. o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

The setlist was on point, featuring songs from is new album ‘Don’t Tell The Dog’ and older songs from ‘Are We There Yet’ and his EP ‘Bitter Tongues’. I met some fans in the queue for merch after the show, that told me they had been in tears throughout the song ‘Car Lights’. An emotional song that expresses young James questioning his sexuality and all the thoughts that go through a persons mind when they question their sexuality and that inner fear of what people close might think. - I look forward to a world where people no longer have to fear something so simple as love.

James Marriott on stage at o2 Academy Leeds with his arms crossed in the air 5/11/25.

The Leeds crowd was hoping to hear James’s new unreleased song ‘California Rain’ and we did. He wrote the song whilst recently touring America. Fans who waited outside the venue after the show were also treated to an acoustic version, as James brought out his guitar in the Leeds rain round the back of the venue. It’s become a tour tradition. I really hope James stays grounded and remains to share special moments with his fans as he grows more popular in coming years. It’s something so special and should be cherished.

Crowd at James Marriott concert o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

One of my personal favourites is ‘Romanticise this’ and it sounded phenomenal. The whole band has levelled up with James. Of course the more you play, the better you get. The sound, stage set up, and stage presence was that of a well polished superstar.

James Marriott screaming into a microphone wearing a cowboy hat, o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

I loved James' interaction with the crowd throughout the show. Many had come adorned it party hats and cowboy hats from his music video ‘Somethings Wrong’. One person had a pink inflatable crown that was passed on stage to James. It really suited him. After a few songs, the crown was thrown back and a cowboy hat got flung on stage. James rocked the cowboy look.

James Marriott singing whilst holding a pink inflatable crown. o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

A fan threw a hat on stage that had been decorated with the album artwork from ‘Don’t Tell The Dog’. I hope he picked it up after the show as it looked amazing!

James and his fans have the best sense of humour. One fan held up a sign saying ‘I was hit by a bus but still made it'.

Crowd holds up signs and a crutch. One sign is upside down and reads 'I was hit by a bus but still made it''. The other reads 'James draw my 1st Tattoo?'.

After 16 incredible songs, old and new, James had the crowd making a TikTok for ‘Grapes’. It’s a well known joke to fans that ‘Grapes tase better in September’. On previous dates in October it was a TikTok joke that nobody wanted to sing along to 'Grapes' as it was no longer September. This time James had everyone poised still holding their phones with the flash on to look like they were not enjoying the show and just filming’.

The crowd at James Marriott posing with their phone flashlights for a TikTok filmed by James Marriott's tour photographer Kiwi Sam o2 Academy Leeds 5/11/25.

James then hid in the corner for two seconds for the encore of ‘Grapes’ and the crowd went wild! Shouting the lyrics, making a mosh pit and jumping around.

Crowd singing at James Marriott Concert 5/11/25 o2 Academy Leeds.

This was the best James Marriott show I have ever been to and I know he is only going to get sharper and even more perfect in years to come. I expect to see him headlining Reading and Leeds festival in the next couple of years.