At the First Direct Bank Arena in Leeds, the legendary Tim Booth, with his unique stage presence, guided the audience through a magnificent set that traversed five decades of this distinctive band’s cherished discography, interspersed with exhilarating new compositions. Booth playfully remarked on his decision to forgo his signature crowd-diving, quipping, “I think our audience has got to an age where they don’t want me to dive in.” While their vast fanbase visibly includes younger generations, the frontman acknowledged the devoted followers who have remained steadfast throughout James’s remarkable journey. This trajectory spans from their origins as a support act for The Smiths, through their emergence as a Madchester-era chart giant, to their current nine-piece configuration, which celebrated a monumental achievement with their first UK No. 1 album, “Yummy,” in 2024—42 years into their career.
Formed in Manchester and initially signed to Factory Records, James has consistently eschewed conventional paths to success. Booth accurately portrays them as “this crazy, idiosyncratic band who improvise, change the set list every night and play new songs which don’t have finished lyrics.” This innovative spirit was perfectly illustrated by the eight-minute track “Nantucket,” a curiously titled piece named after the Massachusetts island. With its mesmerizing wordless chorus, an enthralling electro/violin-driven groove, and verses proclaiming a desire “to inspire,” “Nantucket” already possesses the hallmark qualities of another future James classic.