James

After playing to a 20 odd thousand capacity home crowd at the MEN Arena on Saturday night, it was a far more intimate gathering for an exclusive James’ gig - hosted by Radio Station Xfm on Monday.

Built into the labyrinthine bowels of Manchester University’s Academy Building, Academy 4, or ‘Club Academy’ holds a crowd of approximately 300 people. With a low ceiling, an audience floor space containing several large pillars and a backstage area the size of a telephone box, it’s typically the venue for local unsigned acts playing to friends or those international groups awaiting UK Music Industry recognition that seldom ever eventuates. Rarely does it play host to a band with a following so devoted that even the group’s lead singer describes them as Trainspotters.

James may have taken a long hiatus, but this successful comeback tour seems to prove that the break has done nothing but build the band to cult status. The way people stood throughout the performance – heads bowed and arms raised; men dancing alongside their mates and everybody singing along - the atmosphere at this small concert was more like witnessing a Gospel service in America’s South.

The band sounded great. Fact. But for me (who isn’t a James obsessive) it was to be a night of slight disappointment. Vocalist Tim Booth promised not to repeat the performance from Saturday night, which is fair enough, but with the words “Tonight isn’t a party, it’s an inner celebration – these are songs that never got the airing we think they deserved” I must admit, my heart sank.

What followed was a set of songs that were, dare I say it... a tad indulgent. Though the crowd lapped it up, songs such as ‘Strip Mining’ – written in response to a 1985 Mexican Earthquake - seemed almost cringeworthy in its outdated earnestness.

Booth has a gorgeous voice and he sings in a very distinctive, emotive style. He’s a great frontman, sharing stories with the crowd and jigging around the stage like Michael Stipe during the wailing guitar solos, but singing tunes that rhyme ‘Angel’s wings’ with ‘Magic Things’ however, (Seven – which failed to reach the top 40 in 1992) is far from showcasing the band’s best material.

Thankfully, the inclusion of new tracks towards the end of the set proved that the band still have the ability to produce great, contemporary singles. ‘Chameleon’ showed the band’s musicality has not stagnated and ‘Upside Downside’ is a pop song that displays both great depth and a catchy chorus.

Finally for the encore, one of the band’s more successful singles reared its head. ‘Getting Away with It (All Messed Up)’ was by far the best tune on the night and the rest of the audience seemed to agree. This song was a single because it was great, not great because it was a single. “Daniel drinks his weight, Drinks like Richard Burton, Dances like John Travolta”... Brilliant. Please Sir, can I have some More?

FUTURE GIGS