From Justin Bieber to Dua Lipa, some of music’s biggest stars kick started their careers by posting clips of them singing online. These videos eventually caught the eye of major label execs, but James TW’s story unfolded a little differently. In 2015, fellow singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes — who also launched his singing career on YouTube — discovered the British talent while browsing through covers online. With a Mendes cosign under his belt, James TW was able to land a massive record deal and he’s since toured his three studio albums around the globe.
In fact, over his career, he’s headlined his own solo tours in the UK, Europe and North America. But much to the dismay of his Aussie fans, James hasn’t performed down under — until now. On 15 November, the singer’s treating Melbourne to a one-night-only concert special inside the historic Collingwood Town Hall (one of our fav places to catch a live music show in the city).
From YouTube to international success: James TW’s story
Named after Grammy-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor, James TW’s future in music was practically written in the stars. In 2014, he released his EP Just a Number, but it was Shawn Mendes’ stamp of approval that really put him on the map. He opened for the Canadian pop star during the Shawn Mendes World Tour in 2016, then went on to perform his smash hit single “When You Love Someone” from his second EP First Impressions on Ellen.
In the years that followed, the singer released three studio albums Chapters (2019), Heartbeat Changes (2022) and Soundtrack (2024) and has amassed over 2 billion streams on Spotify alone. He’s been likened to artists like Ed Sheeran and John Mayor, but what sets the Warwickshire-born artist apart from the rest is his love for deeply personal performances inside super intimate settings.
James TW concert in Melbourne
Heartfelt ballads, pop hits and bonafide tearjerkers are all on the cards at this 60-minute show. Under the glow of candlelight, James TW will be performing his most beloved tunes live for the first time in Melbourne. While the setlist remains under wraps, you can expect to hear tunes like “Say Love”, “Please Keep Loving Me” and more inside the elegant ballroom of Collingwood Town Hall this November. Known for its gorgeous Art Deco interiors and outstanding acoustics, the 19th-century town hall provides the intimate setting for this candlelit evening of live music.
🎟️ Get your tickets to Candlelight Original Sessions: James TW here.
Can’t make it to the Melbourne show? Don’t worry! The singer-songwriter is also making his live debut in Sydney this 13 November.