WHEN singer-songwriter Jamie Lawson met Ed Sheeran at a tiny South London venue, both were struggling to make ends meet.

The pair were sofa surfing and playing as many shows as they could in the hope that one day they would ‘make it’.

After exchanging numbers, the two never kept in touch and Jamie watched from a distance while Ed, 15 years his junior, went on to become one of the biggest stars on the planet.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

But five years after their chance meeting, Ed called to ask Jamie to open his Dublin show - a question that changed the course of Jamie's career.

“It’s an odd one really, I had not long written ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’, Ed came up and said he really liked it. He was just a young kid and I’d already been doing it for ten years by that point", he explains.

“He was talented and full of confidence. We exchanged numbers and never really stayed in touch.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

“Ed became this mega famous guy and I just watched him - it was incredible. For him to reach out five years later because he remembered that song and me, was kind of amazing really.

“Everything changed from that point.

“There was a lot of time in between and fumbling around, trying to get signed and playing lots and lots and lots of gigs, making no money whatsoever and wondering what’s going to happen next.

“Then something happens and gives you a bit of light and you carry on. There was a lot of self belief and hard work and jumping on the luck when it arrived.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

“I never thought about giving up, I just thought if I can reach people, I think they’ll like it.

“I don’t miss the struggle. I struggled for years and I was poor and it was hard. There was times where you didn’t know whether you were going to pay the rent and where you going to sleep at night.

“The stress and worry is not fun but that’s what you go through if you want to get somewhere sometimes. I’m quite happy turning up a venue knowing there’s people there.”

Jamie was the first artist to sign to Gingerbread Man Records, set up by Ed in 2015, despite being considered ‘too old’ for the industry.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

The partnership enabled the musician to work with some of the best producers and songwriters around, including Snow Patrol’s Johnny McDaid.

“I never thought of it as daunting to be the first person signed to his label”, he says.

“I always thought of it in a positive way. Ed knows everybody, there’s countless amazing songwriters that he knows and bands.

“He decided that me and my songs were the correct fit for his label and it gave me a great deal of confidence and pride.

“Even though I was in some circles ‘too old’, he took the chance. A great song is a great song no matter what age you write it.”

First released in 2011 and again in 2015, ‘Wasn’t Expecting That’ was the catalyst of change in Jamie’s life and gave him his first taste at radio airplay.

The record went on to win the Best Song Musically and Lyrically award at the Ivor Novello awards - beating Ed’s single Bloodstream.

Having released two albums on the label, one which went to number one, Jamie has proved himself in an industry that would be happy to label him as just ‘Ed Sheeran’s protégé’.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

His latest slot, opening for Ed on his massive arena tour, which stops off at Hampden next weekend, has put his popstar abilities to the test.

Much different to his usual shows, the stages have challenged him to channel a new kind of energy.

“It’s a different approach to tour. I’ve kind of had to bring the most popstar Jamie to the stage.

“I’m there to warm the crowd up and get them ready, so we do songs that are more upbeat and have a bit more tempo because I’ve only got half an hour and the best thing to do is create a good mood.

Read more: 10 shows not to miss at Glasgow's King's Theatre this summer

“It takes a different energy than my shows do but it’s good to get people hyped up and excited.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Scotland.

“The last time I played was in Saint Luke’s and I loved it. It was one of the best nights of the tour. I love Scottish audiences there always up for singing along and joining in.”

Jamie Lawson support Ed Sheeran at Hampden Stadium from Friday 1 - 3 June.

DON'T MISS IN GLASGOW THIS WEEK: 

Bryan Adams
Saturday
SSE Hydro


AWARD-WINNING Canadian rock-pop singer, songwriter and guitarist Bryan Adams will be heading to Glasgow to play all the hits from his back catalogue.

Since emerging in 1979, the performing has racked up 12 number one singles including ‘Heaven’, ‘Summer of ‘69’ and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You – which was number one in 10 countries and for 16 weeks here in the UK.

Buy tickets for Bryan Adams here. 

Jake Bugg
Tomorrow
Kelvingrove Bandstand
 

KICKING off a summer of music at Kelvingrove Bandstand will be Jake Bugg.

The singer-songwriter and guitarist rose to fame after appearing on BBC Introducing Stage at Glastonbury 2011 before releasing his self-titled debut album in 2012.

He was later nominated for a Mercury Prize for his debut.
Bugg will be performing tracks from his four albums including 2017 release Hearts That Strain.

Buy tickets to see Jake Bugg here.