Review by Archie Flexen – Cook

During their recent tour, James made a stop at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre next to Bristol docks for the Bristol Sounds Festival which made quite a setting and an experience for all.

The atmosphere from the crowd was energetic and spirits were high which you will quite often find in the music scene in Bristol. As the band approached the stage with enough musical talent and coordination like an orchestra, they were ready to bring the house down. Looking back it’s hard to imagine that a band that formed in 1982 under the name James would become the strength they are now known.

Walking onto the stage with the roar and cheers from the crowd, frontman and singer songwriter Tim Booth proclaimed “Welcome all the people who couldn’t get Glastonbury tickets. Glastonbury wouldn’t have us, so it’s a match made in Heaven”

Performing the introduction of the steady drumbeat and a Miles Davis type trumpet sound to accompany it they let rip with Lose Control and then went straight into one of their best known hits Born of Frustration. Hearing the crowd sing-along to “la la” had the people of Bristol Really ready to let loose, and ignite the fire inside of them and let the real hardcore James fans out.

Before going into their next track What For, James went on to tell us they wrote this in 1986 to talk about global warming – something that is fresh on the minds of people 37 years later especially within the community of Bristol.

After that brilliantly written track and deep notion we were treated to the Indie rock track Sit Down – personally a favourite of mine. With some more humour Tim Booth mentions he wasn’t making a joke out of one of his band members because he was sat down during the show but because he had simply broken his foot recently so it was quite ironic but did bring a huge laughter from the crowd

Some of their newer tracks follow as the show just kept getting better and better song by song. Performing more great hits like Out to Get You and then the beautifully written track She’s a Star saw the audience waving their arms from left to right in motion with the track playing their part to a star gazing show.

Getting Away With It All was performed with such energy and bravado from every member of the band. My expectations just kept getting better from the very start of the show till we were approaching the closing of the curtain.

The final track was the smash hit Laid. It was like setting off a fire work. The eruption from the band and crowd alike was spectacular. It was the moment we were all waiting for.

James were amazing at interacting with the people with their witty humour and charisma. All of the band played their parts to a phenomenal level. I could say with confidence that Tim Booth’s voice was simply perfection and in the top 5 vocals I’ve ever heard live. He sounded better than a high definition CD on ATC speakers. The range and pitch was simply mesmerising, so truly bravo!

The energy that the whole band was projecting and the expression was truly incredible. They have a few shows left on their tour and if you are able to see them live, I highly recommend. A truly incredible experience!!!