Lisbon Rock In Rio Festival – 22nd June 2024
Tag Archives: song-way-over-your-head
London O2 Arena – 15th June 2024
Setlist
Johnny Yen / Waltzing Along / Stay / Hey / Life's A Fucking Miracle / She's A Star / Say Something / Out To Get You / Shadow Of A Giant / Better With You / Sound / Butterfly / Mobile God / Sit Down / Tomorrow / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / Come Home / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“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
Review: Francis Nash @ The Upcoming
“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
Manchester Co-Op Live – 14th June 2024
Setlist
Johnny Yen / Ring The Bells / Rogue / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Stay / She's A Star / Sound / Butterfly / Better With You / Out To Get You / Shadow Of A Giant / Jam J / Sit Down / Way Over Your Head / Mobile God / Tomorrow / Sometimes / Come Home / Beautiful Beaches / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“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
Review: Natalie Royle @ Louder Than War
“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
Review: Tom Bamford @ I Love Manchester
“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
Review: Rachel Smith @ Manchester Evening News
“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
Review: Shaun Curran @ iNews
“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
Birmingham Utilita Arena – 12th June 2024
Setlist
She's A Star / Waltzing Along / Our World / Hey / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Say Something / Born Of Frustration / Five-O / Butterfly / Better With You / Just Like Fred Astaire / Curse Curse / Shadow Of A Giant / Sit Down / Mobile God / Tomorrow / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“Beautiful Beaches is euphoric, a song that few bands in their fifties and sixties could create. Powerful, uplifting and joyous, despite the undertones of the lyrical content and concluding with eleven of the thirteen on stage turning, mostly kneeling and watching Dave and Debbie’s drum outro with the same wonder as the rest of us. They finish on Laid, way after curfew, a devil-may-care romp that feels on the edge of imminent breakdown that encapsulates the band and the live experience in a three minute pop song.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
Review: Steve Adams @ What’s On Live
“And as for the setlist, we got most of the heavy hitters we wanted to hear. There was no Come Home or Ring The Bells, but the likes of Waltzing Along, Born of Frustration, Five-O, Say Something and Sometimes (Lester Piggott) more than compensated. Those last two got the biggest singalongs of the night but the most enthusiastic receptions were saved for Sit Down (ironically the first song to really get everyone on their feet) and the mercurial Laid, which makes for a terrific finale to any evening.”
Read the full review at What’s On Live
Review: Laura Dean @ God Is In The TV Zine
“Unusually for a band who play arena tours, James have a tendency to mix things up with their set lists to keep things fresh, and they aren’t even afraid of stopping a song if there’s a mistake – this all makes for a unique experience for each audience and presumably keeps things interesting for the band, so it’s a great approach that’s still working for them after all this time. There’s no-one quite like them and they show no signs of slowing down.”
Read the full review at God Is In The TV Zine
Cardiff Utilita Arena – 11th June 2024
Setlist
Sound / Waltzing Along / Better With You / Dream Thrum / Stay / Rogue / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Tomorrow / Sit Down / Shadow Of A Giant / Butterfly / Five-O / Mobile God / Beautiful Beaches / Ring The Bells / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Come Home / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“This was a supremely confident and assured performance from James, ever changing the setlist, playing around with songs, looking for new connections both within and without the band, taking us all on their journey. It may have been a Tuesday night in Cardiff, not the sexiest location on a school night, but it was one of their best shows and audiences for a very long time.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
Leeds First Direct Arena – 8th June 2024
Setlist
Johnny Yen / Waltzing Along / Our World / Rogue / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Just Like Fred Astaire / Ring The Bells / Better With You / Butterfly / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Shadow Of A Giant / Out To Get You / Mobile God / Tomorrow / Come Home / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / Sit Down / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
““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
Review: Gareth John @ York Press
“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
Review: Mike Ainscoe @ At The Barrier
“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
Review: Kate Rogata @ Yorkshire Post
“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
Review: Martin Unsworth @ Louder Than War
“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
Review: Joseph Nozedar @ The Gryphon
“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
Review: With Just A Hint Of Mayhem
“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
Glasgow OVO Hydro – 7th June 2024
Setlist
She's A Star / Tomorrow / Our World / Rogue / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Born Of Frustration / Waltzing Along / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Shadow Of A Giant / Five-O / Better With You / Just Like Fred Astaire / Sit Down / Mobile God / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / Come Home / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“Often Glasgow gigs fail to live up the billing that the more vocal elements of the city’s music following place on them. Tonight though they proved that when the mood is right it’s one of the best places in the world to watch a gig. Even the parochial nonsense of “here we fucking go” that blights songs that it doesn’t even work with is thankfully absent. James captured the mood in the room perfectly last night with a setlist that both stood by their ethos that all their music has equal value whether written yesterday or forty years ago but sagely acknowledging the size of the venue and the crowd. One of their best gigs for many years.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
Review: Karen Edmond @ Scottish Music Network
“After their electrifying performance, the band gracefully exited the stage, visibly elated and grateful for the enthusiastic reception from the Glasgow crowd. Every member seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, waving and smiling at the audience. It was truly a spectacular night, leaving the audience in awe.”
Read the full review at Scottish Music Network
Review: Alan Brown @ Bring The Noise
“The four-song encore began with Way Over Your Head, the last from Yummy, followed by Beautiful Beaches as the screens turned to orange emulate the subject matter of the song when people were running to the beaches in 2020 to escape the Californian wildfires. We were then taken back to 1990’s Gold Mother album for Come Home, the set finished with Laid, the title track from the 1993 album of the same name and by far the band’s biggest song and a great way to end the night. Having seen James play live around a dozen times since 1993 this performance was the best yet, like a fine wine this band only gets better with age! “
Read the full review at Bring The Noise
Photo Gallery : Scottish Music Network
View the gallery at Scottish Music Network
Newcastle Utilita Arena – 5th June 2024
Setlist
She's A Star / Waltzing Along / Our World / Hey / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Tomorrow / Five-O / Shadow Of A Giant / Better With You / Mobile God / Jam J / Sit Down / Nothing But Love / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Come Home / Beautiful Beaches / Laid / SoundSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“They take their final bows from an audience who’ve been treated to one of their best sets in the last few years. The sound that had been a little off for Razorlight was crystal clear, the light show augmenting the songs and the visuals really complementing them. The new songs have the energy and weight for the arena, even in their quieter moments and the Newcastle audience are far more receptive to them than in Aberdeen and the band are clearly revelling in playing them.”
Read the full review at Even The Stars
Review: Jason Button @ Newcastle World
“In reality, it is these moments we all live for. At the end of the first of two encores when Beautiful Beaches was played I simply shut my eyes, released my shoulders and danced like I was in the kitchen on my own. They are the moments fans pay money for, and those are the moments James thrive on creating.”
Read the full review at Newcastle World
Review: Craig Connor @ Chronicle Live
“Fans turned out in their droves to see James at the Utilita Arena – more than forty years on from the band’s formation”
Read the full review at Chronicle Live
Review: Adam Kennedy @ The Northern Echo
“Indie legends James arrived on Tyneside on Wednesday night for their second North East date in a week. The group played a warm-up show for their current arena tour at The Globe in Stockton on Friday evening, and by the time the group arrived in Newcastle, not only were the band warmed up – they were absolutely on fire.”
Read the full review at The Northern Echo
Review: Darin Hutson @ The Southern Reporter
“He tweeted, or Xed, to fans afterwards about “how special the gig was”, adding: “I suspect we will find it hard to top on this tour. That was magic,” and that feeling was clearly mutual and deservedly so.”
Read the full review at The Southern Reporter
Review: Music For The Misfits
“If before last night I’d only been half on the James-train, I’m certainly completely on and not getting off now!”
Read the full review at Music For The Misfits
Aberdeen P&J Live – 3rd June 2024
Setlist
Is This Love / Hey / Mobile God / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Ring The Bells / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Johnny Yen / Shadow Of A Giant / Jam J / Stay / Born Of Frustration / Better With You / Sit Down / We're Going To Miss You / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / LaidSupport
RazorlightMore Information & Reviews
Review: David Brown @ Even The Stars
“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
Stockton Globe – 31st May 2024
Setlist
Johnny Yen / Is This Love / Hey / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Mobile God / Ring The Bells / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Shadow Of A Giant / Stay / Better With You / Sit Down / Just Like Fred Astaire / We're Going To Miss You / Sometimes / Nothing But Love / Way Over Your Head / Beautiful Beaches / LaidSupport
Tom A SmithMore Information & Reviews
Review: Andrew White @ The Northern Echo
“This was billed as a warm-up gig, so it was not without a few false starts and technical hitches as the final polishes were made. The crowd later learned, from the multi-talented Saul Davies, that lead singer Tim Booth had not been well and indeed had spent some time in hospital earlier that day.”
Read the full review at The Northern Echo
Bournemouth O2 Academy – 29th May 2024
Setlist
Is This Love / Hey / Life's A Fucking Miracle / Better With You / Stay / Shadow Of A Giant / Five-O / Born Of Frustration / Waltzing Along / Ring The Bells / Jam J / Our World / Nothing But Love / Come Home / Sometimes / Way Over Your Head / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Sit Down / SoundSupport
Mitch SandersMore Information & Reviews
Review: Emma Harrison @ House Of Coco
“If Bournemouth was the venue to cut their teeth for the remainder of their tour, then they have every confidence that the new material will resonate with the crowd and that they will put on one hell of a show!”
Read the full review at House Of Coco
