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JAMES GETS ‘LAID’ IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
“This bed is on fire with passionate love, The neighbours complain about the noises above, But she only comes when she’s on top….”
These memorable lines from James’ 1993 hit ‘Laid’ defined a decade becoming the soundtrack to early 90s alternative radio and then finding a second life through its use in teen hit American Pie. Now the band are heading to Australia for the very first time in their career to celebrate the release of their fourteenth album ‘Girl at the End of the World’, presented by MJR.
JAMES had already had a decade of hits by the time Laid arrived, having risen from Manchester’s legendary Factory Records scene into one of the biggest UK bands in the world by the dawn of the 90s. With alternative hits in Australia including Laid, Sit Down, Sound, Getting Away With It (All Messed Up), She’s a Star and Just Like Fred Astaire, the band were triple j staples for over fifteen years, yet never ventured downunder.... Until now.
James are visiting Australia this November for four special shows. After internal struggles kicked off a long hiatus in 2001, the band reconciled in 2007 and continued their prosperous career, getting back on the live trail. Their new album ‘Girl at the End of the World’ has become their most popular in over a decade, debuting at #2 in the UK charts (only behind Adele!). The accompanying live shows just finished across the UK have been the bands broadest ever tour, receiving rave reviews - “It’s not hard to grasp the enduring appeal of James… With a hit album, a sellout tour and no sign of the tunes running out, James are, without a doubt, the indie rock dream made flesh” The Observer.
‘Girl at The End of the World’ sees the band team with producer Max Dingel (The Killers, Muse, White Lies) with the legendary Brian Eno infusing his unique influence into the blend. The new album is both anthemic and euphoric, with its simmering electronica continuing James’ long connection to the dance floor. The band’s trademark songwriting and Tim Booth’s distinctive vocal & evocative lyrics prove once again to be amongst Britain’s finest.
“Bands talk about that difficult second album but it’s the trickster 14th one that’s the real M*&^%R F&%$#R,” says Tim Booth of the making of the new record. "As always with James it’s a collaborative process allowing ample room for improvisation, intuition, skill and dumb luck. From the outside our process looks like chaos but chaos is our friend and we have a history that gives us confidence that something magical will eventually appear. We've been trying to come down under for many years - something never quite fell right . Really looking forward to meeting new friends and making up for lost time."
I've been going to see James since 1991, and they've never been better. The Bellwether is a great venue, but if you're short, get there early and/or splurge for the Looking Glass lounge or a VIP early entry ticket if you can. I recommend getting a good spot on the balcony on the side.
No opening act and starting right on time? So perfect when followed by nearly 3 hours of performance. The band was on fire with bittersweet and plaintive music that is simultaneously life affirming. Bravi!
Having been around many years, the musicianship is at an incredibly elevated level. The band delivers for every performance. There is no going through the motions and dialling it in. They remain firmly in the moment and bring the joy of playing and an appreciation for the audience that is akin to a band when they first start out. Exceptional!
I have been listening to James since I was young and lived in Greece! When I saw that they were playing in Montreal I was so excited! What a show! The whole band was participating, the vibes were amazing! I’m so happy I got to see them live and I hope they come back again! Thank you 🫶🏼
The James show at Citizens House of Blues exceeded all expectations. The venue was good, the staff friendly and helpful. James blew the roof off the place. As a longtime fan of James, I can confirm they have only gotten better with time. They have a connection with the crowd that is rare. Rather, Tim Booth is in the crowd for a caucus dance-sing along, or on stage flanked by the most dynamic, tightest band in the business, every minute was riveting. I am hoping for many many more James shows.
Once again a great show by James. My 3rd time seeing them and it is just a top notch performance all around. I was not happy they had to move the show from the Paradise to house of Blues. Going from 600 to 1500. Good for them to build the following for a larger show but I missed the up close view of the Paradise venue. But it was a perfect night.
James is a timeless band, been listening to them through my childhood
One of the best concerts I've ever been to. Up there with David Bowie during his ballroom tour (Electric Factory, Capitol Ballroom, etc. in the mid to late 90s). Their music, the way the connected with the audience, their skill, their show, the whole thing - incomparable. A truly wonderful, uplifting, and cathartic experience the like of which one rarely truly gets to be a part of. I don't know if there's any other team of musicians who has the skills and comes together like I saw here.
I last saw James in Piedmont Park at the Midtown Music Festival in Atlanta, GA in 1994. They were fantastic then and even better now! Tim Booth does not age! Not only has his voice held up at age 65, he was able to hit all of the high note (and James' songs have many), but he was dancing throughout the show and in amazing physical shape. The band was incredibly tight, and they have added some youth as well. I hope they come back to Boston again soon!!
I’ve been following James since the early 90’s when my friend Debbie turned me onto them, but this is my first time seeing them in concert. I upgraded my ticket to see the band warm up beforehand (and to get good seats). I pushed my comfort zone and wore a dress (for the first time), and found it liberating… something that Tim Booth confirmed after the concert. Though, please be aware, if you do the same, you may be the only man in the audience who does (I was). This is a band with an audience of fans. There were clearly many people there who had been following them for a while. Especially Tim and Saul engaged with the audience, in a familial tone. Tim and Andy came way out into the audience as yet another way to connect. Clearly it wasn’t James coming to perform in your living room, but the whole session did produce a feeling of connection, even intimacy, quite different from a “come to the stage, play their songs and leave vibe” that some bands do. They certainly give the impression that they get as much from the performance as we do. Oh, and the music… they played all of my favorite songs! Do yourself a favor, and give them a listen, if you don’t know them, and go to a concert if you do.
Yet another band/artist that lost me as a fan. I didn't pay for a political lecture from a man in a dress, but I guess I should have known better. Waste of money and a Saturday night.
Great show as always. This band always puts on a great performance. I'm not sure I love the full Laid album gimmick, but if that's what it takes to get them to come to America I'm all for it. Glad they mixed the set up. Wish I was able to see multiple shows this tour.
Everything was wonderful about this concert. The venue, the vibe, the James charm. And of course the music. We were lucky enough to have soundcheck tickets so we got there early. Got to listen to the band play a couple of pre-songs, banter, questions and answers. Waited a bit and boy was it worth it the band and Tim were on point the entire album of Laid and much more. Thank you James for giving so much of yourself to your fans.
Start down the rabbit hole. Listen to them for 2 hours. You'll be hooked. Excellent live as well. Professional for around 40 years.
A nine-piece band, two drum sets, an AMAZING violinist and of course Tim Booth and his beautiful voice! Need I say more? I don't want to spoil some surprises; the sound was impeccable. Go see James when he visits your town.
James is one of the best bands to see. They have great energy. Great interaction with the audience. They sound amazing. I would see them anywhere. Masquerade had an ADA line that you had to use stairs to get to. Knowing the elevator was broken.. They have an upstairs door. But they didn't use it this night for ADA. With MS. I'm still in bed from using the stairs Wednesday. I have tickets to two other shows this year at this venue. I haven't had this issue before. I hope it's fixed soon.
I saw James on the 2nd night at the Orpheum, co-headlining with Johnny Marr. Not sure how I wasn't listening to their music until recently, as I know I recognized a bunch of their songs but just never connected it to James. Almost all the songs they played were long time fan favorites. The band has such great stage energy and sounded amazing, just great feel good vibes. Tim went out into the audience all the way into the balcony for one song. This was their first tour the US in a long time, which is a shame. I see they play in the UK a lot, but hopefully they'll be back again soon. It was also great to see Johnny Marr, and I'm sure a lot of people came to the show just for him, but the audience seemed very into the James set. All around great time!
The first time, I saw James, they were headlining Wembley in North London in 1998. I've seen them many times since, but the concert at History in Toronto was beyond. As good as ever. As original as ever. One of my favourites ever. Tim Booth does not age.
I just realized it was 16 years almost to the day that I saw them last. They are so energetic, and their sound was perfect. They are one of my favorite live bands. The hits were great, but also the new songs. It's so hard to imagine other people find them unmemorable or boring. But not everyone can appreciate the symphony either. For the people who gave them one star because they were the headliner, if you do a couple minutes research, you can see the pattern of who goes on first. And the order of sets has nothing to do with the band's performance. Of course if they play 2 nights in the same venue, they will switch the second night.
We had tickets to night two of the James and Johnny Mar concert. We couldn't get there until 8 because of work (show started at 7), school etc, but thought we'd miss a portion of the opening act, James, and then be able to enjoy Johnny Mar. Well, we arrived and heard one song by Johnny Mar (he sounded great) because he ended up opening instead of being the headliner. The show was advertised as James with Johnny Mar, I googled who was opening, and looked on the Facebook group for Johnny Mar to see make sure he was the later act. We were so disappointed and spent A LOT of good tickets. I couldn't believe we heard one song. We ended up leaving; no offense to James, but that's not who we went to see.