By Alexandra Pullen
Photo Credit: Aoife Moloney [via @elliotjamesreay on Instagram]
As someone who was born, raised, and is currently living in Greater Manchester, when I heard about “Bury’s own Elvis Presley”, I was immediately intrigued: a 23-year-old with the voice of an angel whose covers of songs by Presley, Roy Orbison, Ed Sheeran, and Paul Anka (to name a few) have gone viral online. I needed to learn more about the guy with such talent, from just one town over from mine.
Elliot James Reay has seen a rapid rise to fame in the past year, from online TikTok covers to the release of his debut single I Think They Call This Love in July 2024. Just a few months later, he signed with Interscope Records to release his second single Boy in Love. In his music, Reay pays homage to the many singers who came before him, and evidently influence his style, including Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.
To end an exciting year filled with two more singles and his debut EP, All This To Say I Love You, which came out in June, the singer-songwriter was announced as the opening act on Benson Boone’s American Heart world tour. After witnessing Reay’s performance in Manchester to a sold-out Co-op Live on 26th October, it became clear to me that he is so much more than “Bury’s own Elvis Presley”, but a powerhouse in forwarding the significant influences of 1950s and 1960s sound. Through his songs, Reay brings soul and blues back to life, drawing modern audiences to build a connection with the music of 60-70 years ago.
Due to the unforeseen almost mile-long queue to get into the Co-op Live, we unfortunately missed the first couple of songs Reay played, but upon entering the arena, the atmosphere was immediately buzzing. I never quite get used to this incredible venue and how bizarrely intimate it feels considering it’s the UK’s biggest indoor arena. When we got to our seats, Reay was introducing a song from his debut EP, named Sweetness, which prompted an amazing display of phone flashlights from the crowd.
The performer immediately connected with his audience by joking that he came “all the way from Manchester – how crazy!” Just a few months ago, Reay was playing to the 550-capacity Gorilla just off Oxford Road, but it’s safe to say that his showmanship and talent were just as impressive in the huge Co-op Live; in fact, it seemed to me as though his songs were made for arenas. He moved on to another new track, I Can’t Stay Away, which was reminiscent of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Reay didn’t just sound as though his songs were straight from the 1960s. He had the look, rocking a black shirt, and black sparkly wide-leg trousers which, accompanied by the pompadour-style quiff, encapsulated the slick air of coolness which radiated from his presence. After finishing this song, he shared more about his ‘50s and ‘60s influences: “the music I love and listen to on a daily basis, I’ll never get to see it live how it truly was. I want to bring it back to life nowadays.”
This was the perfect introduction into the first of two covers flawlessly performed by Reay. Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman perfectly suited his voice despite some initial nerves, stating, “it might go wrong, but the four of us jamming together [is] part of the fun.” Later he delivered his rendition of Unchained Melody which was met with an eruption of cheers from the crowd. These two covers displayed how seriously impressive and adaptable Reay’s vocals are, and also offered those who were unfamiliar with his music moments to sing along. He recently released a live version of the latter to streaming services too.
It seemed as though where we were sitting, we were just near some of Reay’s family and friends who energetically spurred the singer on, chanting his name at times and responding to his interactions with the audience with supportive eagerness. In one instance, the singer regarded that it was hot in Co-op Live that evening, which was met with a swift shout of, “you’re hot!” from someone in our section. It would be understandable if Reay was anxious to perform in front of such a large crowd, but he certainly didn’t seem it, singing all ten songs from his set with swagger and utter composure.
A few more highlights include Daydreaming, pairing brilliant vocals with dramatic lighting for the ultimate ‘50s feel, an unreleased song named Mr E., which is bound to be a hit when it comes out, and Reay’s most successful track to date, I Think They Call This Love. The song is “the one that started everything” for Reay and has already racked up over 150 million streams on Spotify. It certainly transferred beautifully to an arena setting.
To close his incredible support set, Reay set the tone for the upbeat night to come, with Who Knew Dancing Was a Sin? Almost every member of the crowd was up on their feet dancing for this one, and at the end with gratitude and sincerity, Elliot James Reay bid his hometown audience farewell with a huge thank you. An impeccable performance from one of the most exciting upcoming musicians made thousands intrigued as to what is next for Reay.
Unless otherwise stated, Photography & Text Copyright 2025 © Alexandra Pullen/ADRENALINE Magazine.
Alisha Lawton 
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Kyle Horne