Starsailor Shine Bright at the O2 Forum in a 25th-Anniversary Triumph

Dave Broome
Nov 25
3 min read

02 Forum Kentish Town, 22nd November 2025

IMAGES DAVE BROOME / WORDS DAVE R TAYLOR

Starsailor Shine Bright at the O2 Forum in a 25th-Anniversary Triumph — Photo Credit Dave Broome

Starsailor is celebrating their 25 th year making music, having been on a roll since their

formation in 2000. Band members Walsh, Stelfox, Westhead and Byrne were superb

on stage at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on Saturday 22 Nov.

The opening act was Ed Harcourt, a successful singer/songwriter in his own right, with an amazing 12 albumsbehind him. Since 2007, Ed has also collaborated with and written for such diverse artists as Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Marianne Faithful, Jamie Cullum and Lisa Marie Presley. Ed’s debut album was nominated in 2001 for the Mercury Music prize, and it is easy to see why. His amazing keyboard skills and strong vocals are crowd pleasers. Ed brought an audience volunteer on stage to play tambourine for an opening track and she did her best to keep the beat. The audience loved her. Through his set, Ed wandered from guitar to keyboard and back, playing beautifully on both. His early years of piano study, culminating in a grade 8 by the age of 17, are plainly evident.

At the end of his set Ed told the crowd he was going to be joined on stage by special

guests, who were no less than Starsailor themselves. I have never before seen the

headline band join the opener as their backup, but there was an obvious chemistry

between the two. Ed returned the favor for Starsailor’s encore by joining them back on

stage for the final 3 tracks.

When Starsailor took to the stage, it was easy to see why they’ve had the successful

career they’ve had, with six solid albums behind them. Their first album, Love is Here

reached number two in the UK charts in 2001. The band toured heavily, playing

festivals and supporting such acts as the Manic Street Preachers and Doves.

Frontman James Walsh has a unique vocal style – open and harmonious with a slight

tremble. Very Ed Sheeranesque. His earnestness endears him to the crowd, and they

were warmly receptive, singing every song along with the band. Walsh told the crowd

“we’ve played London many times, but it has been 24 years since we played the Forum.

If you were here 24 years ago, then thanks!”

Every member of the band played tight and crisp. Great keyboards, solid drums, great

guitar (including some slide guitar on his Les Paul) and of course the vocal lead from

Walsh. Their years of experience show through in how they tag team through songs –

guitar fills at just the right time and strong bass runs. James played a Gibson acoustic guitar that has been through a couple decades of touring and shows the wear. The

acoustic guitar forms the base of the music with every other instrument building and

fading through the show. 24 years ago at the Forum, the band played quite a few covers, as their own catalog was still a bit limited. This time they only played two: Lennon’s fab tune “Jealous Guy” (also covered by Bryan Ferry) and the Beatle’s “Don’t Let Me Down,” played during their encore.

Returning the favor, Walsh invited Ed Harcourt back onstage for the three songs of the

encore and they sounded great together. Overall, one of the best shows I’ve seen this

year.