James
Not many bands can claim to have been a force in 20 years of musical history.
From their early EPs for a youthful Factory records, through their pivotal place in the mid-to-late 80s indie scene, the early 90s Manc-centric baggy scene and the mid-90s brave new world of guitar bands breaking the top 10 and playing arenas, James have been at the forefront of British music.
With a host of classic songs including Sit Down, She’s A Star, Come Home and Laid, the band’s place in UK musical history is assured.
The band can also claim to have influenced a whole host of artists including Coldplay’s Chris Martin as well as touring companions The Smiths, who recorded a version of the band’s early single What’s The World, the only contemporary song covered by The Smiths.
Ending on a high in December 2001 when vocalist Tim Booth announced he was leaving the band, James left the stage as one of the country’s most successful bands with 10 studio albums, 20 Top 40 singles, and significant success in America at a time when UK bands couldn’t get arrested stateside.
In January 2007, the group announced that it was reforming to play some live shows and that they had been writing new material. The UK tour sold over 35,000 tickets in 2 hours and impressed both fans and critics alike - "This doesn’t feel like a reformation, but a second coming” touted the Guardian reviewer, likewise the Manchester Evening News reported “triumphant homecoming is James’s new beginning”.
James then rounded off a busy summer travelling across Europe, headlining festivals including V Festival and T in the Park. In Autumn 2007, the band headed to France to record album number 11, set for release on Mercury Records on 7th April 2008.
April 2008 also saw James embark on an intimate UK theatre tour - a chance to showcase the new album and translate a triumphant return in 2007 into an equally successful 2008 - performing the new material at over 12 venues and receiving 5 star reviews. It was a huge success.
The new album Hey Ma debuted at #10 in the UK charts, with The Times stating "the new album and sell-out tour make James the comeback kings."
With rapturous reviews, a sold-out UK tour and a top-ten album under their belts, James headlined at some of this year's biggest summer festivals including the Isle of Wight Festival and Mares Vivas in Portugal, blowing away fans with songs old and new. Without stopping for air, James returned from Europe and began preparations for their first US Tour in 11 years. With tickets sold out in a matter of hours, 5 star reviews & fans going wild, James have just finished up what can only be described as some of the best performances of their careers; with The Washington Post promising fans they were “ in for a kick-ass show”
James recently completed their December We Are Sound Arena Tour. This saw them play 8 shows including two sold out nights at Brixton Academy, Leeds Academy, Glasgow Academy & an extra night added to Manchester Central (formally G-Mex) with a 10,000 capacity per night, festive spirits were set high.
So what’s next?
No rest for the wicked; James are currently preparing for another year of song writing and summer festivals...stay tuned!
www.wearejames.com
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