Olly Murs celebrated ‘15 Years Of Hits’ at the O2 Arena in London on May 17th 2025. Murs rose to fame after participating in the talent show The X-Factor in the UK in 2009, followed by the release of his debut self-titled studio album a year later in 2010, which entered the UK Album Charts at number two. Since then, he has released seven studio albums, twenty-five singles, and twenty-one music videos, looking back at a successful career in the UK, as well as Europe.

The night’s show was kicked off by none other than English boy band BLUE, consisting of Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Lee Ryan. The group was formed in 2000 and, similarly to Olly, can look back on a successful career having sold 15 million records worldwide over the last 25 years. One of the band members told the audience during the show that they are “from a time where there were still CDs.” The four-piece band won over the crowd with their impressive vocals, as well as hits such as “U Make Me Wanna,” “Breathe Easy” and “One Love.” Their set transported the audience back to the early 2000s, filling the arena with a sense of nostalgia.

Olly took the stage shortly after, and it was clear straight away that he is a performer and showman through and through. Murs seemed to be energized by the stage, running around, dancing and performing for the 20,000 fans at the O2 arena on a Saturday night. The show was supported by a collection of visuals on the big screen behind Murs and his band, as well as lots of other gimmicks like a walking pad, outfit changes, a rising platform during his performance of his 2011 hit “Dance With Me Tonight,” fire, pyrotechnics and even snowfall at the end of his song “Seasons.” Murs talked about how emotional the show at the O2 was for him, explaining how this is where it all started for him - at the X-Factor in the very same arena all those years ago. He expressed his gratitude and happiness for “celebrating 15 years of doing this.” The crowd was on their feet all evening, dancing and singing along to the hit-stacked setlist, celebrating Murs’ career. It’s clear that Olly Murs knows how to win over the audience with his charm and energy. He kicked off the night with one of his biggest hits, “Troublemaker,” released in 2012, followed by hit after hit throughout the night. Murs also performed an excellent mash-up of classic 80s songs like “Beat It”, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” “Careless Whisper” and “I‘m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” while taking a walk through the floor of the arena getting up close and personal with his fans. Murs had the audience in the palm of his hand throughout the evening, showing what a great showman and entertainer he still is. The crowd was dancing and cheering him on from start to finish, especially during his biggest hits like “Heart Skips A Beat” and “Up,” which he performed with his backup singer, Katie. Murs mentioned multiple times throughout the night that this was “one of the best gigs [he has ever played]," going on to speak about how crazy the past few years have been for him – from his tour with Take That in 2024, his wedding two years ago, the birth of his first child, Madison, in 2024, the announcement that he is having another baby, and the release of his latest album “Marry Me” three years ago which went straight to Number One.

One memorable, emotional moment from the night was his performance of “Dear Darlin.” He dedicated the song to people that he has lost, such as Caroline Flack, saying how he had “some of his best years with her on The Xtra Factor.” Murs also honored family members and loved ones that he has lost over the last years, as well as a fan called Lou, who “went to every show over the last 15 years” and lost her life this year. He asked the audience for help to sing this song, stating that he is already emotional just talking about it. Shortly after, he told the audience, “if you‘re here with the people you love, give them a massive hug and kiss“ and Murs even went down to the front row to hug one lucky fan himself. Even though there had been emotional moments throughout the set, Murs knew how to entertain and joke with the audience through cheeky puns and moves. Murs, who had just turned 41 three days before the show at the O2 in London, mentioned that his mum was in attendance tonight by saying, “my mum is here tonight. Thank you mum for bringing me to this world. I love you.”

The show was truly a celebration of Olly’s long-lasting career, showing how much he has developed throughout the years through his music, his stage attire (for example by bringing back his iconic hat) as well as through the backdrop and visuals, which were, at times, showing old photos, supporting the eras and songs visually. Murs ended the show by saying “Its been so awesome to sing the songs that put me here, the songs that you guys fell in love with…Your favorite Essex boy is coming back because it’s not over yet” before closing the show with “Dance With Me Tonight,” leaving the crowd buzzing, still dancing long after Murs had left the stage. It was a great night, filled with various hits from the last two decades, lots of fun, and it was obvious that Olly was happy to be there, enjoying every second on the big stage just as much as his fans were. It’s clear that this won‘t be his last time in London.