James Bay is winning at rock

February 2, 2015 11:24 am 93 comments Views: 48

Next big thing … British rocker James Bay has hit the top 5 in Australia with Hold Back The River. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
Source: News Limited

YOU may already know James Bay as the soul-voiced, long-haired rocker in the hat who has stormed the world’s charts with Hold Back The River.

The 24-year-old artist landed in Australia this week as he chases that success around the world and preps the release of his debut Chaos And The Calm next month.

Discovered by a YouTube video of his performance in a tiny London bar, Bay has already amassed some heavyhitter mega-fans including the Rolling Stones and the world’s most influential tastemaker Taylor Swift.

One to watch … James Bay is an artist everyone is keen to keep an eye on. Picture: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Here’s what else you need to know about the charming young troubadour.

Australia has awarded him his first platinum plaque for Hold Back The River.

“I got my first platinum disc last night for Hold Back The River. Australia has given me that already,” he said.

“I haven’t got a very big flat and I don’t have the wall space really but if there is one I am going to put up it’s that one because it’s the first one ever. It will probably go on the ceiling.”

Big fan … Taylor Swift turned all her fans onto Bay and loves his song Let It Go. Picture: AFP.
Source: AFP

Taylor Swift blew his mind when she quoted the lyrics to his song Let It Go back to him in a backstage corridor.

The Englishman was supporting Hozier on his American tour last year and when Swift came to check out the concert, she stopped him in a backstage corridor to ask if he was, in fact, James Bay. When he replied in the affirmative, she started discussing the lyrics of Let It Go in minute detail and has now booked him to open for her on a few European shows this year.

“What will be fun will be to experience that world, that scale and atmosphere. I have hopes and plans and dreams to reach those heights so this will give us a little taste,” he said.

Big gig … One of Bay’s first major performances was opening for the Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in front of 65,000 people. Picture: Simone Joyner / Getty Images.
Source: Getty Images

The Rolling Stones were among Bay’s early champions, offering the opening spot on their historic Hyde Park concerts in London in 2013.

Bay said he suffered no nerves as he stepped onto the massive stage for the concert in front of 65,000 Stones fans. His only thoughts were to “keep it together”.

“It’s just a gig, just another gig. I try to make it as not a big deal as possible. You have to. I can walk away and afterwards and go “Oh my f … ing god’ and I did, but in the moments beforehand, it’s not a big deal. That’s what I have to do,” he said.