James has always made a point of doing things differently. It's what has kept them fresh (as a daisy) after all these years ... 40 of them! So, last night, James brought their James Lasted tour to the Armadillo in Glasgow and their performance displayed the energy, boldness and inventive playfulness to suggest they will be going for many more years yet.
To celebrate 40-years as a band, James decided to go on tour with a 22-piece orchestra and gospel choir! No messing! And certainly no expense spared.
From the very off this tour (and the forthcoming album recorded with the orchestra and choir) was billed as greatest hits, fan favourites and deep cuts. I excitedly poured over setlists from previous shows in advance and the ecstatic reviews coming in from fans on social media had me playing non-stop James leading up to the show. I hadn't listened to some of the songs the band were playing in years.
My brother had bagged us tickets centre stage and 6 rows from the front. The Armadillo chairs are extremely comfortable and I joked to the lady to my left that the DJ (playlist) should play some more upbeat tunes before the band come on, so we don't fall asleep!
There was no danger of that. The orchestra (Orca 22), choir and conductor took to the stage before the band walked on ... but no Tim Booth ...
Ah, but Tim was here, up on the top floor, spotlight upon him, singing Magic Bus (not The Who song) and causing those below him to crane their necks to get a view.
Dust Motes was spine tinglingly beautiful and an early outing for She's A Star got a few of the audience on their feet, while the chorus of We're Going To Miss You was exceptionally powerful, lifted by strings, choir and audience backing the band. I think the band expected more from the Glasgow crowd (although man had travelled from further afield) though and Saul Davies said as much, commenting that he knew it was a Monday night and that we might be hungover ... blame Tim for the setlist!
Tim also commented a couple of times through the performance. Saying he had been saying to the orchestra - wait until we get to Glasgow. Also mentioning that the last time they played the Hydro 500 people had been ejected! Saul also used the old trick of playing the Glasgow crowd by saying Edinburgh had been a lot louder a couple of nights previously.
This wasn't a normal James show though - if there is such a thing as a normal James show!
Hymn From A Village, dating back to 1985 was played with verve, enthusiasm and passion. The Lake (a b-side) was utterly gorgeous, you could have heard a pin drop.
James are playing two sets/performances on this tour. They ended the first with a stunning Tomorrow that had a large percentage of the crowd out of their seats and dancing. It felt like a shame to pause it for a break as everyone was warmed up and going.
After a 30-minute break we were back and in our seats. The orchestra took to the stage and then Tim came on and said we're just waiting for the conductor. He played it beautifully as everyone around me joked that he must be at the toilet. Booth picked up his baton, dropped it, and the orchestra responded to his every movement as he picked it up and dropped it again. The conductor eventually came on and Orca 22 started playing something really beautiful. Tim started to sing Sit Down. It was a really stunning arrangement. There was no need for the choir to be on stage.
Say Something was sublime, Tim wandered through the crowd and was singing to someone at the end of our row. Moving On was dedicated to everyone who had lost someone over the last few years. The hook leave a little light on, leave a little light on was sung heartily by all and Andy Diagram's trumpet sounded beautifully poignant.
Alaskan Pipelines from the Pleased To Meet You album was seemingly created for a night like this. Gentle, dreamy and emotional.
I wasn't expecting Seven to get an outing. It sounded even more pure, perfect and heavenly than ever. The chiming guitars and soaring strings with Tim singing love can change anything moved me, I was lost in the moment.
And that is exactly what James wanted from the night. the band and venue politely asked fans to switch off their phones and refrain from taking pictures or filming during the show. Hence I have lifted a couple of photos from the end of the night from social media.
I jumped to the toilet as James started Medieval from 1988's Strip Mine album. It seemed to me like a few people were leaving the venue, unhappy with the performance.
I rushed back as quickly as possible and was able to stand at the back of the hall for an immensely powerful ending with everyone singing we are sound, we are sound, we are sound.
I was kind of hoping the band would swiftly start to play Sound! What an intro that would have been!
All The Colours Of You transforms into the closing mantra of Many Faces, crowd and choir as one.
After a very short encore (the orchestra don't leave the stage) the band return to play a string laden Sometimes that melts my heart and I got a little dust in my eyes. A rousing Nothing But Love has everyone on their feet, the Monday night show with seats is forgotten and Tim knows it, quickly rounding everyone to play one more - Getting Away With It - one of my very favourite James songs!
A memorable night. The orchestra and choir brought out the best in the band, re-energising some 'lost' songs and reinventing some favourites.
Although it was a mixed bag for many. Some songs, understandably, landed better than others. Tim seemed to be aware of that, facing the audience and saying not what you expected, huh? at one point.
Having monitored setlists and social media reviews of the first 4-nights, I knew what was coming. The introduction of Born of Frustration and Laid in place of some lesser known songs would have got the Glasgow crowd on their feet a little more. But when have James got the bends from pressure? ;-)
