James / The Charlatans / The Slow Readers Club

The jewel in the crown of a phenomenal year for indie stalwarts James saw the band headline a mouth-watering triple bill at the Echo Arena in Liverpool.

First up, The Slow Readers Club performed to selected audience members (seating ticket holders) in the arena foyer. Personal favourites of James band members, they’ve toured the UK with the band throughout the year whilst building a passionate fan base of their own. I’d be pretty miffed if I had standing tickets, but the people who saw them witnessed a band definitely on the rise.

The Charlatans then got things started on the main stage with an up-tempo set drawing from their 28 year back catalogue. It’s unfair to label them as veterans, as performances like this one demonstrate that the band are still fresh, vibrant and at the top of their game. Opening with 1992 single Weirdo, frontman Tim Burgess lapped it up as the band mixed classic singles with track from their latest effort, 2015’s Modern Nature.

The penultimate track saw the bad joined by Tim and Andy from James for a raucous cover of Rescue by Liverpudlian post-punk heroes Echo and the Bunnymen, much to the delight of the locals. Finishing with an epic, extended version of early single Sproston Green, The Charlatans demonstrated that it’s still going for them, and arenas are where they belong. It begs the question as to why they’re supporting The Courteeners in the summer? Surely it should be the other way around?

2016 was a huge year for James. With Girl at the End of the World reaching number two in an album chart rammed full of manufactured monstrosities, the band celebrated their most success since the release of Millionaires in 1999. Coupled with a sell-out tour and an epic performance opening Glastonbury on the Other Stage, this Liverpool gig was a fitting celebration.

Tim Booth is one of the great frontmen of our time. From minute one, his encapsulating nature welcomes the audience and it doesn’t take long for him to get up close and personal. To My Surprise and Surfer’s Song served to highlight why the latest album has been so warmly received.

The middle of the set was a bit one-paced, which put it below the standard of the Manchester Arena gig in May for me personally. It’s a criticism of a band I struggle to criticise but a sign that their still keen on mixing their set up for every single gig, something much admired by their adoring fans. Born of Frustration saw Booth mobbed as he made his way through the audience in the stands and the electronica-infused Attention euphorically closed the main set.

Tim Burgess joined the band in the encore for a celebratory performance of Laid which was followed Manchester anthem, Sometimes. Finishing with the glorious Nothing but Love, James showed why 2016 was their year. It’ll certainly be interesting to see where they go from here.