James Arthur performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 30, 2024. Imani Sires/STAFF.

OAKLAND — James Arthur kicked off the American leg of his Bitter Sweet Love Tour at the Fox on Tuesday. The British singer-songwriter commanded the stage with unparalleled charisma.

The 36-year-old took command of the stage with the emotional resonance of “Bitter Sweet Love,” the title track to January’s album of the same name. And like the intimate album, drawing listeners into the depths of his emotional journey, his performance offered a glimpse into his personal struggles and triumphs, inviting attendees to connect on a more emotional level.

Arthur transitioned into “Blindside” effortlessly. The production, though sparse, transformed the stage into a canvas on which Arthur painted his emotional landscape via the moody lighting. Arthur’s versatility was on full display, from heartfelt ballads to infectious uptempo tracks.

James Arthur performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 30, 2024.

But it wasn’t just his vocal ability that was impressive; his stage presence was equally captivating.

“It’s crazy that we’ve been able to cross the pond from those early days on “The X Factor” to where we are now,” Arthur said as he looked out at the roaring crowd, shaking his head in disbelief.

This led into “Rewrite The Stars,” on which he playfully teased a surprise guest appearance, perhaps Anne-Marie, who sings on the song, although he was only kidding. Instead, he asked attendees to sing her part. They obliged, creating a symphony of voices.

During the intense and electrifying delivery of “Cars Outside,” alongside guitarist Ricky Ahir, who’s also known for his work with David Guetta.

“Ricky here has been absolutely stellar tonight,” Arthur added with a nod to his bandmate.

Forest Blakk performs at Fox Theater in Oakland on April 30, 2024.

Hits like “Naked” and “Empty Space” elicited cheers of recognition, while deeper cuts like “Train Wreck” and “A Thousand Years” showed the artist’s raw vulnerability.

After an encore break, James Arthur returned to the stage to deliver a powerful finale of “New Generation” and the iconic “Say You Won’t Let Go.”

Singer-songwriter Forest Blakk opened the show with a 40-minute set consisting of tracks from his latest EP, Undone (Love & Loss), released jut a couple of weeks ago in April. He opening the show with a heartfelt performance of “Love Somebody Again.”

“Anyone who knows me knows that I and my wife are a true love story,” he said, dedicated the song to a couple in the front row.

As the songs changed, so did the mood. As the final notes of “If You Love Her” hung in the air, Blakk bid farewell.

Follow photographer Imani Sires at Instagram.com/manishotthat.