James Bay (singer)

English singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1990)

James Bay

Bay performing live in 2022

Background information
Birth name| James Michael Bay
Born|  (1990-09-04) 4 September 1990 (age 34)
Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England
Genres|

* Rock
* pop
* soul
* Americana

Occupations|

* Singer-songwriter
* guitarist

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar

Years active| 2013–present
Labels|

* Mercury
* Republic

Spouse|

Lucy Smith

(m. 2022)​

Children| 1
Website| jamesbay.com

James Michael Bay[1] (born 4 September 1990) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist.[2][3][4]

In 2014, he released his single "Hold Back the River", which was certified platinum, before releasing his debut studio album Chaos and the Calm (2015). The album went to number one in the UK and number 15 in the US. In February 2015, Bay received the Brit Awards "Critics' Choice" award.[5] At the 2016 Brit Awards he received the award for Best British Male Solo Artist.[6] Bay also received three nominations at the 2016 Grammy Awards, for Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song. In May 2018, he released his second studio album, Electric Light.

## Early life

[edit]

James Bay was born to Jill, a former fashion illustrator for Marie Claire, and Nick Bay, a wine merchant.[7][8] He has an older brother named Alex.[9] Bay's parents brought him up in Hitchin, Hertfordshire where he attended Hitchin Boys' School. Aged 11, Bay was inspired to play classical guitar after hearing Eric Clapton's "Layla".[10] He used an old rusty guitar with five strings he found in a cupboard in his house.[11] Bay is a supporter of Newcastle United F.C.[12]

When he moved to study in Brighton at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute seven years later at age 18 he played the city's open mic nights, on which he said, "That taught me a lot about writing and performing on my own and trying to hold my own". "I'm trying to make songs that make people feel something, and if I'm lucky, even move them".

Bay caught the attention of Republic Records A&R after a fan uploaded a video to YouTube of him performing at an open mic in London, and within a week, he signed to the label. His first EP, The Dark of the Morning, was released in 2013. Within a year, he was selling out his first UK headline tour.[10]

## Career

[edit]

### 2013–2017: Career beginnings and Chaos and the Calm

[edit]

Bay released his debut extended play, The Dark of the Morning, on 18 July 2013. His second EP, Let It Go, was released on 12 May 2014.[13] The Let It Go EP debuted in the top 10 iTunes album chart[14] and the lead single, titled "Let It Go", peaked at number 10 in the UK charts.[15] Bay has performed live on the Burberry runway and has also recorded a Burberry Acoustic session.[16] He toured with Hozier in 2014.[17]

Bay recorded his entire debut studio album Chaos and the Calm at Blackbird Studio in Nashville, with producer Jacquire King.[18] It debuted at number one in the UK charts and has been certified X2 platinum.[19] His single "Hold Back the River" peaked at number 2 in the UK charts and was certified X3 platinum.[20][21]

Bay performing in 2016

In January 2015, Bay released his fourth EP, Other Sides. He performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in June 2015.[22] At the 2016 Brit Awards in London on 24 February, he received the award for Best British Male Solo Artist, and also performed "Love Yourself" with Justin Bieber at the ceremony.[6] Bay recorded a cover of the Beatles song "Hey Bulldog" for the 2016 TV series Beat Bugs. He recorded a cover of the Tom Petty song "King's Highway" for the 2017 Disney/Pixar film Cars 3. It is heard in the film and is included on the official soundtrack album.

### 2018–2019: Electric Light

[edit]

Bay released his second studio album, Electric Light, on 18 May 2018.[23] It peaked at number 2 on the UK Albums Chart and 21 on the US Billboard 200.[24][25] The album has notable pop and R&B influences,[26] and was noted for its "hip hop style spoken-word skits" during intervals.[27] The lead single, "Wild Love", was released on 8 February 2018, and peaked at 39 on the UK Singles Chart and 17 on the US Adults Top 40. Bay released a duet version of the album's third single, "Us", performed on The Voice with Alicia Keys in May 2018.[28] Bay released a single, "Peer Pressure", on 22 February 2019, featuring artist Julia Michaels.[29] On 10 May 2019, he released his third EP, Oh My Messy Mind, the first record of his to be immediately released on streaming.[30] On the same day, the single "Bad" was released.

### 2020–present: Leap

[edit]

In the spring of 2020, Bay began making his third studio album in Nashville at the historic RCA Studio A alongside producer Dave Cobb, and collaborated with Brandon Flowers of the Killers during recording.[31] He released the single "Chew On My Heart" in July 2020.[32] Later that month, he streamed a live performance in support of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, to support efforts against the economic threat posed to grassroots venues during the COVID-19 pandemic.[33][34]

In April 2022, Republic Records relaunched Mercury Records with a new roster that includes James Bay.[35] He released his third album, Leap, on 8 July 2022.[36]

## Equipment

[edit]

Bay endorses and plays Tone King amplifiers, a boutique amplifier brand of Premier Builders Guild.[37] In 2017, he released his Epiphone Signature "1966" Century Outfit, an accurate recreation of his customized 1966 Epiphone Century guitar which has James Bay's "Hat Man" logo on the headstock and custom strap.[38]

## Personal life

[edit]

Bay has been in a relationship with music promoter Lucy Smith since he was 16 years old; they got married at a private ceremony in August 2022.[39] They have a daughter named Ada Violet Bay who was born in October 2021.[40]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: James Bay discography

Studio albums

* Chaos and the Calm (2015)
* Electric Light (2018)
* Leap (2022)
* Changes All the Time (2024)

## Tours

[edit]

### Headlining

[edit]

* Chaos and the Calm Tour (2015–16)[41]
* Electric Light Tour (2018–2019)[42]
* Leap Tour (2022-2023)[43]
* Up All Night Tour (2025)

### Opening act

[edit]

* Toured with ZZ Ward and the Wild Feathers. North America (2013)
* Toured with Kodaline UK and Ireland (2013)
* Toured with Hozier North America (2014)
* Taylor Swift – 1989 World Tour (Europe) (2015)[44]
* The Rolling Stones – No Filter Tour (2018)[45]
* Ed Sheeran – ÷ Tour (Europe) (2019)[46]
* The Lumineers – Brightside World Tour North America (2022–2023)
* Noah Kahan – The Stick Season Tour (2024)

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Organisation  | Award  | Work  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

2015  | Brit Awards | Critics' Choice | Himself  | Won  | [47]
MTV UK | Brand New for 2015  | Himself  | Nominated  | [48]
BBC | BBC Sound of 2015 | Himself  | Nominated  | [49][50]
MTV Video Music Awards | Artist to Watch | "Hold Back the River"  | Nominated  | [51]
MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Act | Himself  | Nominated  |
Best Push Act | Nominated  |
GQ Men of The Year  | Breakthrough Solo Artist  | Himself  | Won  | [52]
Q Awards | Best New Act  | Himself  | Won  | [53]
2016  | Grammy Awards | Best New Artist | Himself  | Nominated  |
Best Rock Album | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated  |
Best Rock Song | "Hold Back the River"  | Nominated  |
BRIT Awards | British Breakthrough Act | Himself  | Nominated  |
British Male Solo Artist | Won  |
British Single of the Year | "Hold Back the River"  | Nominated  |
British Album of the Year | Chaos and the Calm | Nominated  |
Echo Music Prize | Best International Newcomer  | Himself  | Won  | [54]
Ivor Novello Awards | Most Performed Work  | "Hold Back the River"  | Won  | [55]
Q Awards | Best Solo Artist  | Himself  | Won  | [56]
2019  | GAFFA-Prisen Awards | Best International Artist  | Nominated  | [57]
Best International Album  | Electric Light | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Bay, James Michael. "Songwriter/Composer: BAY JAMES MICHAEL". Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI). Retrieved 4 July 2017.
2. ^ "New Music – Kimberley Anne, James Bay, Little Bear". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
3. ^ "BBC Introducing – On the playlist: James Bay". BBC. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
4. ^ Young, Richard (28 May 2010). "Hitchin guitarist 'One to watch' says EMI boss". The Comet. Archant Community Media. Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
5. ^ "Brit Awards 2015: Winners list". BBC. Retrieved 26 February 2015
6. ^ a b "Brit Awards 2016: Adele dominates with four awards". BBC. 25 February 2016.
7. ^ "British Singer James Bay is Ready to Conquer 'the Biggest Prize of All' -- America". Billboard.
8. ^ "Can James Bay prove he's not just another middle-of-the-road, boring boy with a guitar?". Independent.co.uk. 20 March 2015.
9. ^ "James Bay: What I know about women". 14 July 2018.
10. ^ a b "Who is James Bay?". 4 December 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2015.
11. ^ Maeve Quigley (9 October 2015). "Modest James Bay not carried away with his quick-fire success". irishmirror. Archived from the original on 31 October 2015.
12. ^ Mitchinson, Rory (2 September 2019). "'The atmosphere was incredible in there' - James Bay on United's win at Spurs". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
13. ^ "A Name to Remember: James Bay is a voice that you just won't forget". Her. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
14. ^ "James Bay premieres new single 'Hold Back The River'". Music-News.com.
15. ^ "James Bay, artist". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
16. ^ Bayley, Leanne. "James Bay sang at Burberry SS15 show – but who is he?". Glamour Magazine UK. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
17. ^ Bedian, Knar (14 November 2014). "Painted Faces and Fantastic Pipes: James Bay". Sound of Boston. Retrieved 14 November 2014.
18. ^ "James Bay announces debut album". NME. 11 December 2014.
19. ^ "James Bay, Chaos and the Calm, Album - bpi". Archived from the original on 15 March 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
20. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 (29 March 2015 – 4 April 2015). Official Charts. Retrieved 21 July 2015
21. ^ "BRIT Certified". BPI. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
22. ^ "James Bay, Glastonbury, review: 'One Direction didn't steal the show'". The Telegraph. 26 June 2015.
23. ^ "Electric Light by James Bay". 18 May 2018 - via itunes.apple.com.
24. ^ "James Bay Chart History". Billboard.
25. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com.
26. ^ Duerden, Nick (8 March 2018). "James Bay interview: 'Do I really want to wander around the world with the hat and the long hair for another four years? No'". inews.co.uk.
27. ^ Bassett, Jordan (18 May 2018). "James Bay – 'Electric Light' album review". NME.
28. ^ "James Bay, Alicia Keys - Us (The Voice 2018)". 23 May 2018 - via YouTube.
29. ^ "James Bay - Peer Pressure (Audio) ft. Julia Michaels". 21 February 2019 - via YouTube.
30. ^ Moss, Rich (13 May 2019). "Atwood Magazine". James Bay's Beautifully Heartbreaking 'Oh My Messy Mind' EP.
31. ^ "James Bay on new single 'Chew On My Heart'". 9 July 2020 - via NME.
32. ^ Pipa, Alexa (14 July 2020). "Song You Need to Know: James Bay, 'Chew On My Heart'". Rolling Stone.
33. ^ Moore, Sam (27 April 2020). "Music Venue Trust launches 'Save Our Venues' campaign". NME. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
34. ^ "In support of the #SaveOurVenues campaign, I'm going to be performing a live set online for you this Thursday!". Instagram. `{{cite web}}`: Missing or empty `|url=` (help)
35. ^ Aswad, Jem (11 April 2022). "Republic Relaunches Mercury Records; Post Malone, James Bay Move Over to New Roster". Variety. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
36. ^ Shutler, Ali (8 July 2022). "James Bay – 'Leap' review: self-assured songs about satisfaction". NME. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
37. ^ "'Chaos and the Calm': James Bay Talks Songwriting, Opening for the Stones and More". Guitar World. 12 June 2015.
38. ^ "James Bay Epiphone Century". Epiphone. 30 June 2017.
39. ^ "Hitchin singer James Bay marries childhood sweetheart of 15 years". 15 August 2022.
40. ^ "James Bay Welcomes First Baby, Daughter Ada Violet with Partner Lucy Smith: 'We Are So in Love'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 21 September 2024.
41. ^ "Chaos and the Calm Tour Dates Announced! – James Bay". James Bay. Archived from the original on 23 November 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
42. ^ "Electric Light Tour Dates Announced – James Bay". NME. 7 March 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
43. ^ "James Bay announces new UK tour and shares moving video for 'One Life'". NME. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
44. ^ "Taylor Swift Announces James Bay And Vance Joy As Support For 1989 Tour". MTV UK. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
45. ^ "Rolling Stones announce huge list of special guests for their 2018 UK tour". Independent.co.uk. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
46. ^ "Ed Sheeran's 2019 UK and European tour support acts announced as The Darkness, James Bay and Zara Larsson". officialcharts.com. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
47. ^ "Critic's Choice Winner Announced". Brit Awards. 4 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
48. ^ "MTV's Brand New For 2015 Nominees announced". MTV. 24 November 2014.
49. ^ "BBC Music Sound of 2015 longlist revealed". BBC. 1 December 2014.
50. ^ "BBC Music Sound of 2015: James Bay". BBC News. 8 January 2015.
51. ^ "2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Revealed: Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran & More". Billboard. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
52. ^ "BREAKTHROUGH SOLO ARTIST: JAMES BAY". GQ. 8 September 2015.
53. ^ "Bay picked up Q Best New Act, presented by Orange Amplification". Q. 20 October 2015. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
54. ^ "James Bay wins the ECHO for International Newcomer". ECHO Awards. 15 April 2016. Archived from the original on 14 April 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2016.
55. ^ "Winners Announced for the 61st Ivor Novello Awards". The Ivors. 19 May 2016. Archived from the original on 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
56. ^ "Q Awards 2016: Muse, Bastille and James Bay win big as Madness enter Hall of Fame". London Evening Standard. 22 November 2016.
57. ^ "GAFFA-Prisen – Og vinderne er..." gaffa.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 4 March 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Bay (singer).

* Quotations related to James Bay at Wikiquote
* James Bay at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

James Bay

Discography

Studio albums|

* Chaos and the Calm
* Electric Light
* Leap
* Changes All the Time

Extended plays|

* Oh My Messy Mind

Singles|

* "Let It Go"
* "Hold Back the River"
* "Scars"
* "If You Ever Want to Be in Love"
* "Best Fake Smile"
* "Running"
* "Wild Love"
* "Pink Lemonade"
* "Us"
* "Peer Pressure"
* "Bad"

Featured singles|

* "Chasing Stars"

Awards for James Bay

* v
* t
* e

Brit Award for Rising Star

* Adele (2008)
* Florence and the Machine (2009)
* Ellie Goulding (2010)
* Jessie J (2011)
* Emeli Sandé (2012)
* Tom Odell (2013)
* Sam Smith (2014)
* James Bay (2015)
* Jack Garratt (2016)
* Rag'n'Bone Man (2017)
* Jorja Smith (2018)
* Sam Fender (2019)
* Celeste (2020)
* Griff (2021)
* Holly Humberstone (2022)
* Flo (2023)
* The Last Dinner Party (2024)
* Myles Smith (2025)

* v
* t
* e

Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist

* Cliff Richard (1977)
* Cliff Richard (1982)
* Paul McCartney (1983)
* David Bowie (1984)
* Paul Young (1985)
* Phil Collins (1986)
* Peter Gabriel (1987)
* George Michael (1988)
* Phil Collins (1989)
* Phil Collins (1990)
* Elton John (1991)
* Seal (1992)
* Mick Hucknall (1993)
* Sting (1994)
* Paul Weller (1995)
* Paul Weller (1996)
* George Michael (1997)
* Finley Quaye (1998)
* Robbie Williams (1999)
* Tom Jones (2000)
* Robbie Williams (2001)
* Robbie Williams (2002)
* Robbie Williams (2003)
* Daniel Bedingfield (2004)
* The Streets (2005)
* James Blunt (2006)
* James Morrison (2007)
* Mark Ronson (2008)
* Paul Weller (2009)
* Dizzee Rascal (2010)
* Plan B (2011)
* Ed Sheeran (2012)
* Ben Howard (2013)
* David Bowie (2014)
* Ed Sheeran (2015)
* James Bay (2016)
* David Bowie (2017)
* Stormzy (2018)
* George Ezra (2019)
* Stormzy (2020)
* J Hus (2021)

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Czech Republic
* Norway
* Korea

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

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*[e]: Edit this template