James Arthur plays Baloise Session

James Arthur writes about relationships, anxiety, loss of control, loneliness and life after a crisis: the stuff of life that rubs, pinches, scratches and occasionally causes pain. He won the UK version of «The X Factor» in 2012. His version of «Impossible» became a global hit. He was 24 years old and unprepared for overnight success, which led to a period of doubts and life complexity. Despite that, he never turned these difficult years into a self-pitying tale of heroism, but into good songs. In 2016 he made a second international breakthrough with «Say You Won’t Let Go». The song tells of the everyday aspects of a relationship, of growing old, of staying together and of promises that must be kept. His sixth studio album, «PISCES», came out in 2025. The songs explore memory, dreams, anxiety, love and a self-belief that doesn't simply turn up on your doorstep one morning. Eleven years after his first concert at the Baloise Session, Arthur now returns to Basel as a headliner.