James, Coop Live. 18th April 2026

Once more into the breech with a big venue. Honestly I might have to think carefully about booking for gigs this size. I like this venue and I love James, who need spaces this size with the demand to see them, but honestly it’s just too many people. A fair few of which have got in early to see support from Doves, or what’s left of Doves, that’s not the original singer for starters. I was never a fan, but ‘Pounding’ still sounds good. They’re more suited to an early afternoon festival slot in the sunshine though. They’ve a pleasant atmosphere about them, but they’re not going to fire many up. ‘There Goes the Fear’ does initiate a spot of dad dancing in places and they throw in a curveball, closing with a 90s baggy banger, but it’s not for me. What is for me and pretty much sold out arena is James. The fiddle starts, the drums kick in, the guitar echoely haunts and those vocals soar. ‘Five-O’ is a soft yet epic opener. James are always brilliant live, but straightaway you can tell this is going to be good. Tim’s at the barrier for ‘Waltzing Along’, already instigating a mass singalong. The sound from the stage is wonderful, but this crowd sound bloody good too. Tim doesn’t want to get back onstage for ‘I Know What Am I Here For’, he’s having too much fun orchestrating the dance as video clips of multicultural traditional dancers adorn the massive screens. He then whips off his trademark hat for ‘Sit Down’ as hundreds of phones predictably come out. It gets almost acapella in places as the band break to let the crowd lead, with Tim crowd surfing as we sing. ‘Heads’ takes a dig at America, which is met with appreciative boo’s, as it flexes its dark percussive soul. It’s followed perfectly by ‘Zero’, with its clever pacing shifting us back up without it jarring. Honestly this lot really know how to build a set. The whole arc is magnificent. It’s not just bang out the hits, throw in a few newer ones and hope for the best. Some proper care is taken here, but they make it seem effortless. Everyone has a favourite era when it comes to long running bands and with ‘Say Something’ this is mine. Although I am distracted by someone collapsing in front of me. It’s takes until the end of the song for any help to arrive and is honestly a bit scary. Everyone’s okay though and we get back to it with ‘Born of Frustration’. The trumpet tears through the room, that’s reciprocated with enthusiastic “woo woo woo woo woo woo wooooo”’s and it all gets gloriously chaotic. ‘Shadow of a Giant’ provides a welcome respite. The cool stage lighting seeming to bring a breeze to the floor, which is very much welcomed. Crowd pleaser ‘Johnny Yen’ is teased out beautifully, but sometimes it’s the songs you least expect that provide a moment and ‘Way Over Your Head’ is one such ‘Come Home’ turns the place into an indie disco, but it’s too much for another patron who hits the deck pretty hard. Seriously you need to hydrate people! Don’t come to a gig wearing a ton of warm layers then start drinking, it doesn’t end well. Anyway, he seems okay, but misses the rest of the set, which is a shame as it goes off for ‘Tomorrow’. “This is a song from the 80s” Tim declares as they deploy the thunderous jugganaught ‘Stutter’. It does settle the crowd somewhat, I assume there’s quite a few who don’t know it, I’m not sure I’ve heard it live before or at least not for a long time , so it feels like a treat. Everyone’s locked back in for ‘Sometimes’ with the “When I look in your eyes I swear I see your soul” hook, the crowd grab it don’t let go. Tim’s lapping it up surfing again, it’s a mass of pure joy and a great way to take us to the break. The encore starts with something new. So new, it’s “something we’re working on”. Called ‘Nantucket’, it’s a bit of a melting pot. A disco banger laced with strings and brass. Very James. ‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) fires up the crowd once more. It’s a near religious experience coming to a James gig and this is utterly marvellous. I would’ve liked ‘Sound’, but we get ‘Laid’ which is great too. There’s always a sense that James could play a 10 hour set and there’d still likely be something left out that you’d want to hear. This is why it’s a pleasure to see them over and over again. I’ll be back next time for sure.