James * * * *
Carling Academy
Review by Brian Halford
Disappearing from sight and sound can be a dangerous business in the music industry.
Affections can fade or even disappear in that time – but James proved at the Birmingham Carling Academy on Tuesday night that, if you are talented enough, people remember you.
From the moment they launched into Come Home, at the top of a rollicking, 90-minute set, James proved their power remains undimmed. This was the upbeat, uplifting performance of a band happy to be back together and performing again.
Lead singer Tim Booth appeared happiest of all to be back and hungriest to please. In typically flamboyant form throughout – images of him venturing into the crowd during Say Something were captured, and no doubt remain fondly stored, on a forest of mobile phones – he made it abundantly clear that creative forces still drive the band.
"We have come back to write new material," he announced, while adding that they are proud of what they have produced already. Both sentiments drew warm applause.
Several new tracks, including one completed by Booth only the night before, were unveiled, but of course the biggest ovations were reserved for the old favourites.
Three of these – Say Something, Tomorrow and Sit Down arrived in succession to close the main set. By then, Booth and his collegues had been left in no doubt that Birmingham was happy to see them again.
A meaty encore rounded off a vibrant night's work – and mention should also be made of the Twang who got the party going in muscular and exuberant fashion.
