WEP 2021: Live performance and Q&A with James Blunt

As part of KAUST’s WEP 2021 Final Gala, James Blunt delivered an intimate live performance and Q&A with the students and the KAUST community. Blunt's first album has sold over 11 million copies worldwide, topping the UK Albums Chart and peaking at number two in the US. "You're Beautiful" was number one in the UK, the US, and a dozen other countries. Back to Bedlam was the best-selling album of the 2000s in the UK and is one of the best-selling albums in UK chart history. Blunt has since sold over 20 million records worldwide. He has received several awards, including two Brit Awards, two MTV Video Music Awards, and two Ivor Novello Awards, as well as receiving five Grammy Award nominations and an Honorary Doctorate for Music in 2016 by the University of Bristol.

[@wingssoon]

Poor Kaust, I hate to burst your bubble, I had never heard anything about him until 2023. So thanks for making me remember my rock. Still crawling, but Wingssoon.

[@CESARGOMEZ-yj1rj]

Listening to the music of a great person is my best privilege for you and the family.

[@tabredhair8644]

Was good to see this

[@butterflygarden9098]

Monsters always makes me tear up.😢 I think James was too.

[@butterflygarden9098]

Well, I guess I was living under a rock until recently. I had seen his discs in music catalogs, actually, but had no idea what he sounded like until I heard him on the Grey’s Anatomy soundtrack. Thanks guys! 😊 And thanks to Shazam for telling me who I was listening to!

[@2cent630]

Isn't it amazing how, as an artist, he throws himself into the performance of a song to convey the emotions in that song, even though many years have passed since the moment that inspired it. For me, James is a special artist indeed. Also great question at 12:01; I've wondered too, if James had songs that were too personal to release. I also wanted to know if all the people in his songs know it was about them. How did they react? (eg. the people in Tears and Rain, or Cry, or Carry You Home, or 1973, or the 3 Wisemen). If he doesn't communicate well in daily life, does this mean his wife must wait to find out the state of his mind with the release of each album? LOL, I don't believe that, of course, just a funny thought. Why are people especially interested in the girl in You're Beautiful? When, if one listens to the lyrics, the girl in "High" or "Goodbye My Lover" mean much more to him.

[@butterflygarden9098]

I think “Goodbye My Lover “ has painful memories for him. Sometimes when he sings it he looks like he’s trying to hold back tears. 😢

[@CorySinger]

Thanks for posting! If you have a second, I've been recording some acoustic covers of my favorite artists like Charlie Puth. As a fellow music lover, I'd love if you would take a listen. It's on my page. Hope you enjoy.