James Deliver Unforgettable Career Spanning Set at Leeds First Direct Bank Arena [Photos]

Fifteen minutes out from showtime and the First Direct Arena in Leeds was packed out for the arrival of indie favourite James, who were performing in Yorkshire as part of a huge arena headline tour. Looking around the crowd, the first thing you notice is the age range, as fans, young and old, make their way into the venue. For a band four decades into their career, the lasting appeal the Mancunians have is impressive; the breadth of ages their music has and still connects with now, that is a band that is on another level.

Taking to the stage at Leeds’ First Direct Arena, James had this crowd right where they wanted them with opener “Come Home.” Smiles across the room as fans sang every word back at Tim Booth and the band, who, judging by the smiles across their faces, were enjoying this just as much.

By the second song, “I Know What I’m Here For,” the ever-charismatic frontman had made his way down to the platform across the crash barrier, where he could get up close and personal with fans. It wasn’t the only time he ventured onto this purpose-built platform, much to the delight of fans lucky enough to get to sing along with the frontman as he made his way from side to side of the arena.

“Sit Down” was one of those moments which, as every person who has seen James live will testify, be it in a festival field, an arena, or a theatre show, is one of the reasons the whole audience and band come together as one. It may be the song everyone knows the band for, but, as tonight showed, listening to a packed venue singing it back with as much love for the song as they did when it first hit the airwaves still makes the hairs on your neck stand on end.

And, during that moment, you realise why there is still so much love for James. Their whole set is packed with songs that have stood the test of time. Songs that mean something to people, young and old, who still turn out in their thousands to share nights like this with the band. Very few bands have that magic X-factor to connect with a crowd, and even fewer continue to have it after forty years. James is one of those bands, and by joining those fans sitting in the nosebleed seats, Tim Booth makes sure that every single person in the room is part of what is a magical, unforgettable experience.

Our photographer, Graham Finney Photography, brought back this gallery from James’ set. Check it out here, along with James’ setlist:

James Setlist:

1. Come Home
2. I Know What I’m Here For
3. Ring the Bells
4. Hallelujah Anyhow
5. Greenpeace
6. P.S.
7. Shadow of a Giant
8. Moving On
9. Runaground
10. Waltzing Along
11. Nantucket
12. Born of Frustration
13. Say Something
14. Five-O
15. Attention
16. Heads
17. Way Over Your Head
18. Sit Down
19. Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)
20. Sometimes (Lester Piggott)
21. Laid