What’s the secret to James being one of the greatest live bands in the UK? Simply put: Love Is the Answer! You can feel it in every riff, bass line and soaring note, and the love flows both ways – from James to the sold-out crowd at the O2 in Bournemouth and back again from the euphoric audience to the stage.
This special warm-up show set the scene for their highly-anticipated ‘Love Is The Answer’ UK tour, following a cosy Bristol gig and teasing the energy and spectacle of the band’s biggest ever arena tour. James delivered a set that ticked every box, pairing fan favourites with two new tracks that felt personal, like the nine-piece was playing just for each person in the room.
Support act The Molotovs kicked off the night with a fiery, high-octane set full of attitude and adrenaline. Teen siblings Mathew and Issey are impossible to ignore, and it’s easy to see why they have been named as one of the most talked about UK acts shaking up the current music scene.
Tracks from their debut album ‘Wasted on Youth’, intertwined their infectious first single ‘More More More’, made for an energetic set that left no doubt they are a force to be reckoned with. This is a band where the hype is most definitely real, and their adrenaline-fuelled performance left the crowd buzzing, perfectly setting the stage for James to deliver a night full of surprises.
At times, the set from James was unequivocally transformative and otherworldly. They are one of the rare groups who can make you feel spellbound, uplifted and ready to dance throughout their career-spanning set. Tim, Saul and the rest of the band debuted two brand-new tracks, both of which sat effortlessly alongside James’ classic material.
Understandably, as the tracks were so new, it was still a work in progress when it came to remembering the lyrics which Tim joked about. However, the rawness of the performance of ‘Nantucket’ and ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’ only added to the appeal, with the latter’s uplifting energy and groove-laden guitars sure to cement it as a future James anthem!
Can you really say you’ve been to a James gig without frontman Tim Booth and his signature dance moves? I think not! A thrilling mix of euphoric abandon and complete absorption in the music, Tim had the delighted crowd in the palm of his hands and the energy was absolutely palpable!
It was great to hear some of the tracks from their 2024 album ‘Yummy’, including ‘Way Over Your Head’ and ‘Shadow of a Giant’, all of which have already become fan favourites.
Their most recent collection, ‘Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of’, also introduced two new tracks. ‘Wake Up Superman’ and ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’ both draw on the spirit of ‘Pieces of Gum’ (a bonus track from ‘Yummy’) and transform it into something vibrant and entirely fresh.
This is a band that thrives live, every member dialled in and electrifying the crowd from first note to last.
There was a surprise edition of ‘Greenpeace’ from their seminal 1997 album ‘Whiplash’, marking the first time it has been performed since 2014.
The band served up a fabulous rendition of ‘Tomorrow’ from the same album as well as a rousing version of ‘She’s a Star’ which saw Tim walk amongst the delighted crowd. Tim (and the band as a whole) give so much whilst they are on stage, but they also give so much to each other.
Without a doubt, there’s a beautiful connection between Tim and Chloe, who share vocal duties throughout. Chloe is a hypnotic performer, particularly on the standout ‘Greenpeace’.
Two other highlights were ‘Born of Frustration’, which still feels as fresh and timeless as ever, and one of my personal favourites, ‘Say Something’, which delivered one of the night’s most captivating mass sing-alongs.
If there was ever any doubt, the night proved that ‘Love Is the Answer’ isn’t just a tour title – it’s the heartbeat of James live. From the soaring choruses to the intimate, mesmerising moments, it’s the force that brings band and audience together, elevating every song and lifting every soul in the room.
Words: Emma Harrison
Photos: Paul Dixon
