James at SSE Hydro
Craig Wares
For a Manchester music lover like myself, there is no better act than James. However, this tour was a special occasion as James were joined by Manchester legends The Charlatans. The latest James album ‘Living in Extraordinary Times’ has been met with positivity by all. In well-known James style the album is filled with many true anthems!
Opening the show The Charlatans, playing to an already packed out Hydro, hit us with all the best songs ‘North Country Boy’ and ‘Tellin Stories’, rounded off with ‘Sproston Green’ as usual. Their typical energy from minute one playing a song from their latest EP started the night off well. They really got everyone hyped and set the tone for the gig.
To the sound of thunderous drums, James emerged onto the stage accompanied by the opening track from the new album ‘Hank’. The drums pulsing through the crowd fired everyone up for the night to come. After two songs from the new album the audience were treated to a stream of classics in ‘Waltzing Along’, ‘Tomorrow’ and everyone’s favourite ‘Sit Down’. Tim Booth demonstrated his eccentricity and talent as a front man, showing off his snake hips dance moves and crowd surfing through all of these songs. During the crowd favourite the band had no need to play, the audience took over and all on stage stood and took it in as “Sit Down” was sang word for word back to them.
Their set was jam-packed with even more classics like ‘Stutter’, ’How Was It For You?’ and ‘Just Like Fred Astaire’. Along with the classics and the crowd pleasers the songs from the new album also went down a treat with this electric Glasgow crowd. It felt as if every person in the crowd knew every word to every song. To get such a good atmosphere at a gig is rare now, especially in such a big venue. Standing on top of the barriers hand-in-hand with the crowd, Booth made this huge venue feel intimate and personal. Even having a go at the Hydro’s health and safety regulations Booth stated he wanted the staging to come right into the crowd but he “wasn’t allowed”, as if that would stop him!
‘Come Home’ the final song followed by a bow and then darkness. But this crowd knew there was more to come. The encore began with a new song ‘Many Faces’ which has become the crowd sing-along anthem from the new album. Then another classic ‘Getting Away With It’ and finally to close the show ‘Sometimes’. Although an amazing gig there was a sense of disappointment in the crowd as James had avoided playing ‘Laid’ which is arguably their most famous song. This however spoiled the night by any means.
In my opinion there are few performers who connect and interact with the crowd as well as Booth. He is truly one of the greatest front men of our times! The quality of James’ live sound has only improved over the years, as has their fan base. It puts them in contention as one of the all-time greats as they brought to Glasgow one of the best gigs I have been to in a long time.
Truly unforgettable!
