British motorsport legend and rock singer James Toseland made his return to the stage in Manchester, marking his first live performance in seven years. As a fan of the band, I couldn’t miss the chance to experience a night filled with his music and stories in person.
TOSELAND
Fans of this blog might have come across the name Toseland before. The double World Superbike champion was a huge inspiration to me growing up. Before he made the switch to rock music—a genre my dad introduced me to at an early age. Over the years, I had the chance to interview him once and even work with him professionally last year. So, when I learned he was making his comeback to music with a new live show filled with stories and tunes, I knew I had to be there. While it was quite a flight for a one-off event, the stars aligned, and I found myself at the first night of the Rise Again tour in Manchester.
RISE AGAIN
Alongside the live show, fans were treated to a brand-new EP titled Rise Again. At the time of writing, I hadn’t had the chance to listen to it yet. The Manchester show marked the first opportunity for anyone to grab a copy—a true CD exclusive. However, some of the new songs found their way into the night’s setlist. Hosted by motorsport commentator Greg Haines, the evening was perfectly balanced, seamlessly blending songs, stories, and crowd interaction.
The diversity of James Toseland’s career made for an engaging experience. Between performances, he shared stories about his upbringing, years in racing, and even in-depth analysis of the current motorsport scene. Of course, music was a central focus—how it all began, the formation of his band, and glimpses into his personal life. What stood out was his openness; he didn’t shy away from deeply personal topics, which made the evening feel incredibly intimate.
For the first time in seven years, we heard Toseland perform live. Just him and a piano. From the very first notes, it was clear his voice is as powerful as ever. He opened with new tracks like If I’m With You and Don’t Leave Me, both of which perfectly enhanced the up-close-and-personal setting. Long-time fans were also rewarded with classics like Fingers Burned, Kingdoms, and Renegade. To top it off, he delivered an outstanding rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which brought the house down.
After the show, James and Greg stayed to meet fans, sign CDs, and pose for photos. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect going in. Flying nearly 4,000 kilometres for a hero who hasn’t performed live in seven years felt like a bit of a gamble. But it was worth every second. Toseland still has the voice, the storytelling charm, and the musical talent to captivate an audience. His chemistry with Greg on stage was spot-on. Shifting effortlessly between serious topics like the challenges of racing and growing up, to lighter moments about championship wins and more.
I truly hope this tour is a success. That way we won’t have to wait another seven years to see him live again. For now, welcome back to the stage, champ! Keep on rocking.
