“A NIGHT OF REFLECTION, GROWTH AND GRATITUDE”JAMES VINCENT McMORROW CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF ‘EARLY IN THE MORNING’

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LIVE REVIEW | JAMES VINCENT McMORROW | LONDON UNION CHAPEL 26th May 2025 by Kevin O’Sullivan

This week at London’s Union Chapel, James Vincent McMorrow celebrated the 15th anniversary of his debut album Early in the Morning with a performance that felt as intimate as it was momentous. Set in one of London’s most beautiful venues, the evening was a reflection not only on a milestone album but on the remarkable journey of an artist who’s grown quietly but powerfully over the years.

The show was split into two halves. The first half was dedicated entirely to Early in the Morning, played front to back. It was a deeply nostalgic set, and you could feel the weight of meaning it held for both McMorrow and the audience. Between songs, he shared stories of how far he’s come — from performing on makeshift wooden stages at Borough Market in the late 2000s to selling out venues around the world, writing music everywhere from Mexico to soundtracks for the Twilight saga, and even landing tracks in the US Top 5.

A particularly touching moment was his recollection of performing on Jools Holland — a breakthrough he described with characteristic self-deprecating humour, joking that he was once pitched as a “hoedown” artist. That blend of sincerity and humility made the whole night feel deeply human.

In the second half, McMorrow turned to his more recent catalogue, and this is where his vocal artistry truly shone. From the fragile falsetto of “Poison to You” to the sweeping dynamics of “Hurricane” and “Cavalier”, his range was staggering. This half of the set showcased an artist who has evolved in sound but retained an emotional core that never wavers.

There was also a moment of quiet redemption. He told the crowd that the last time he performed in London, he had been seriously ill and left the stage feeling he’d underperformed — and how grateful he was to return and do it justice. Judging by the crowd’s response, he more than made up for it.

One of the most touching moments came when he spoke about how many people have used Early in the Morning as the soundtrack to major parts of their lives. He admitted he never saw it that way, always viewing other records — like Boxer by The National — as the ones that shaped his life. That modesty is exactly what makes him so beloved.

In all, it was a night of reflection, growth, and gratitude — a beautiful celebration of how far one voice, one album, and one deeply honest songwriter can go.