Robbie and Shakira welcome James to LA

Britain's favourite pop star meets up with Colombia's hottest singer at the House Of Blues. The two performers went along to see James strut his stuff at the Los Angeles venue
Photo: © Rex
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Kate Bosworth was also among the famous faces seen mingling backstage at the gig
Photo: © Rex

ROBBIE AND SHAKIRA WELCOME JAMES TO LA

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9 FEBRUARY 2006

British singer-songwriter James Blunt received a rapturous welcome when he played the House of Blues in Los Angeles this week. The chart-topping musician, who is currently working hard at breaking into the US market, was applauded by Friends star Matthew Perry and Colombian bombshell Shakira when he showcased the songs that have made him a huge hit on this side of the pond.

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One member of the audience who could no doubt offer him some advice was Robbie Williams, who now calls America his home. The renowned performer makes no secret of the fact that making it stateside, where his following is not nearly so strong as in Europe, has been the bugbear of his career.

James has got off to a storming start, though, with his debut single at number eight in the charts and his album Back To Bedlam at number nine. The former soldier's concert meanwhile sold out in seconds, while his appearance on Saturday Night Live was deemed a huge success.

And it would appear he is winning favour among the country's celebrities, too, as Orlando Bloom's on-off girlfriend Kate Bosworth was in attendance at the Sunset Strip venue, along with The OC actress Mischa Barton. Being at the centre of everyone's attention obviously hasn't gone to the 28-year-old's head, though, as he's still not afraid to laugh at himself. He left the audience in stitches when he poked fun at the angsty ballads which have so far been his trademark. "I know you came here to have some fun, so that's why I'm going to play as many miserable songs as I can," he joked.

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