It’s been ten years since George Ezra stormed into the spotlight with his rich croon and instant international breakthrough single Budapest. Over the past decade we’ve seen him transform into a formidable and multifaceted entertainer. To celebrate a decade of Budapest, let’s lift the many hats of George Ezra!

(Please note, the hats are purely metaphoric as George’s locks are too luscious and flowing to stay hidden.)

Travel Agent 

With his breakout single Budapest, George drew attention to the Hungarian capital and its promise of hidden treasure and beautiful castles. The second single from George’s debut record Wanted on Voyage, it became his calling card, picking up international success and acclaim with its warm sentiment and imagery rich lyrics, smoothly delivered in his bountiful baritone. 

There’s no doubt that George the travel agent inspired countless tourists to book a trip to this historical city. 

Innovator 

Not just a sharp lyricist, George is also an innovative linguist. In his formative years in Bristol where he was studying music at BIMM, he and his friends created their own word; petan. As his music began to break through and his fanbase started to grow exponentially, George decided to see if he could make petan happen.

An in-joke with fans, as his career continued to ascend he began having to explain the word in interviews. Talking to Harper’s Bazaar in 2015 he said, “Me and my friends used to say it in Bristol. I can’t remember if it was a mis-hearing of a word, but it crept into our vocabulary, and we would use it for anything. One day my friend said we should see if I could get people to use it online.” 

It may have started as a joke, but petan is now listed alongside many inventive lexical creations on Urban Dictionary making George a true innovator. 

Presenter 

In February 2018, George launched his podcast George Ezra & Friends, the first episode featuring Ed Sheeran as his guest. Hosted by George, the podcast centres around candid conversations he has with fellow entertainers and performers about the highs and lows of their careers and work in the creative industries. 

Across two seasons, George has interviewed the likes of Tom Jones, Jessie Ware, Elton John, Kurt Vile and Lewis Capaldi. In July 2020 George Ezra & Friends won Silver at the British Podcast Award in the Best Entertainment Podcast category making George an award-winning presenter! 

Advocate

Having been open with fans about his struggles with mental health, in 2019 George became an ambassador for UK charity Mind. While touring his second album Staying At Tamara’s, he raised £168,000 for the charity, including donating 100% of the profits from his two sold-out shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall. 

With his cheeky sense of humour, informative and open dialogue and charitable fundraising, George is an admirable advocate for mental health.

Adventurer

After an enforced break from touring due to Covid, George decided to realise one of his lifetime goals in 2021, walking from Land’s End in Cornwall to John o’ Groats in Scotland, the length of mainland UK with his two best friends.

Released as a film in August 2022, End to End is an incredibly warm and endearing glimpse into not only George’s mature and often moving outlook on life, but the camaraderie he shares with his friends. Their journey took over three months, with the trio travelling over 1,200 miles and overcoming everything from infected feet to immovable cows. It’s fully documented proof that George is an adventurer in every sense!