Tim sang The Passenger with Johnny Marr and his band at this show
Tim danced on stage at this show with his son Ben for the first time ever
“It is inevitably two old favourites that bring the night to an end. Come Home brings back memories of student discos to large parts of the fifteen thousand crowd. Laid sends them even wilder as the final farewell to a tour where James both stuck to their guns with their new record as well as rolling out their biggest hits.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
“Yet, the truly spine-tingling moments come when the band, backed by members of the utterly glorious Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir, showcase their musical prowess to its full splendour. As such, tonight’s musical glory is at its most inspiring on Sound, main set closer Sometimes [Lester Pigott] and encore opener Way Over Your Head, one of the standout tracks from Yummy proving that talent has forged their richly deserved 40 years of success more than just 90s appeal.”
Read the full review at The Upcoming
“Laid finishes the night with one final adrenaline fuelled head rush sending even those for whom eight new songs was an affront to their stuck in the past musical outlook. James are and always have been a band that live in the here and now, about creating unique experiences each night rather than the same tired repetitive rehearsed performance.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
“Laid is the final song of the evening, and is the perfect choice for what has felt like a party for audience and band alike. Despite the huge venue, the whole show has had a really intimate feel, and the new songs sound right at home amongst, (and if not, dare I say it, even better than) the old faithfuls. I have watched this band A LOT over the years and I think this is the best I have ever heard them. If you get the opportunity to go and watch them over the summer, do it – you won’t be disappointed.”
Read the full review at Louder Than War
“The gig showcased why James continues to be a seminal force in the music world.
Their blend of new material and classic hits created an electric atmosphere that resonated with both longtime fans and new listeners.
Tim Booth’s magnetic stage presence, coupled with the band’s impeccable musicianship, made for an unforgettable experience.”
Read the full review at I Love Manchester
“There’s a certain irony in the opening request from a band famed for inspiring a generation to Sit Down on sticky dancefloors up and down the land, but from the first bars of Johnny Yen it was clear James’ performance at the Co-op Arena was going to be something special.”
Read the full review at Manchester Evening News
“The sight of James in full flight really is something to behold. The Manchester veterans were six songs in to a magnificent show when trumpeter Andy Diagram, whose joyous coils of noise are key to lifting and enriching James, emerged within the crowd on the second tier near the back of the arena, swirling his instrument as the lengthy, trance-like “Sound” ascended to a dizzying peak. Back on the stage, inimitable leader Tim Booth was transfixed, as lost in the music as everyone else. That sort of thing – exuberant, unifying, musically adventurous mass connection– is difficult to get right. James have made a speciality of it.”
Read the full review at iNews
““There’s time for one more so make the most of it” Tim tells us which means we weren’t going to get either Sit Down or Laid. We do eventually get both but the former is stopped as a woman passes out as the song kicks back in after the audience have taken it from the band. The gig is stopped for a couple of minutes while help arrives and when it resumes they finish the song and Saul leads them straight into Laid that has everyone in the arena on their feet for one final time and Tim down on the barrier. They take their bows having both stuck to their guns with eight songs from Yummy and given the nostalgia heads their fill of favourites too.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
“Tonight, new releases hold their own against established favourites, all of them strong, fresh, and yet instantly recognisable as trademark James material. Booth explained that those who had done their homework and listened to Yummy in advance would have enjoyed the evening even more. No-one appeared to be complaining as the crowd lapped up the setlist as Booth declared and explained that the new songs would soon become the audience’s future favourites.”
Read the full review at York Press
“The tour has seen some juggling in the set that allows for choice cuts from the catalogue to get filtered along with what turns out tonight to be a bold eight new songs. Yet, the hits are reserved for end of set and encore finales. The result is that the atmosphere and the bar gets raised to experience the communal James heights as the likes of Come Home (a constant reminder of the baggy Madchester days), Sometimes, Laid and inevitably, Sit Down, have Leeds to a man, woman and child submit to the James philosophy – one of which they sing in Tomorrow “You gotta keep faith that your luck/path etc will change.” Hallelujah to that!”
Read the full review at At The Barrier
“Remaining relevant for 40 years is an achievement in itself, but James go from strength to strength and we all left the arena, singing our favourite songs, looking forward to next time.”
Read the full review at Yorkshire Post
“Should you get the chance to catch James live – in whatever setting – take it. You might not get all the ‘hits’. This particular tour has been plagued by complaints from people wanting to hear that song, and accusing the band of being self-indulgent for not including it on the setlist. These people would not be missed if they didn’t show up, or buy a ticket. The people who ‘get it’ will still have a whale of a time, and be carried away with a unique, passionate and incredibly significant band who show no signs of becoming complacent. Just look at the smiles on the faces of the group as they leave the stage – it’s a perfect reflection of the crowd that’s enjoyed every second of their performance, but more importantly, it shows that they are still enjoying it too. Long may it continue…”
Read the full review at Louder Than War
“Even though you may say that guitar driven music and bands are no longer in fashion, 2024 has seen a renaissance in guitar-heavy music with many bands snatching the number one spot but having limited airtime. While it may be some time before the habits of certain radio stations change, the new material of constantly innovative bands like James must not go unnoticed.”
Read the full review at The Gryphon
“Then it was time for “that song”, yes, the perennial anthem of the ages, “Sit Down” and clearly no one did sit down for it. We all sang along as loud as possible though. The song was stopped shortly before the end to help security and venue staff deal with a medical emergency in the crowd, with a compassionate and empathetic Tim Booth telling us what was happening. After they restarted most of the band sat on the front of the stage to listen to the crowd continue to sing this timeless tune. Booth then informed us that we were now on ‘Fergie Time’ which meant another song could be played. That song was “Laid”, perhaps my favourite James song. What a magnificent way to end an epic and dazzling set from a band that goes from strength to strength, even after all this time. I left Leeds an incredibly happy man after this show, I suspect everyone left with smiles on their faces. Roll on the next tour!”
Read the full review at With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
“The encore is as defiant as the set. Way Over Your Head is simply stunning, one of the album highlights transformed into a touching torchlight song that captures the despair of the first half of the song and then explodes into positivity as the second half lifts the song’s subject out of the hole they found themselves in to the accompaniment of multi-coloured butterflies flying around the screens. Beautiful Beaches, a hit single born in the wrong time but one which the band clearly love, ends with Debbie and Dave once again duelling drums whilst the band turn and watch them. They send the crowd out into the night with Laid, their only predictable move of the night, played straight fast and furious.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars