james tour review 2023

Review: Country star Jon Pardi throws a party at the State Fair grandstand

Pardi proved to be a spirited entertainer, with infectious energy and exaggerated dance moves borrowed from Luke Bryan, Dwight Yoakam and even Elvis Presley with those swiveling hips.

By Jon Bream

Maybe 11 is country star Jon Pardi’s lucky number.

For his 11th Twin Cities appearance in 13 years (that’s a ton for a nationally touring artist), Pardi landed his first major local headline gig on Wednesday night at the Minnesota State Fair.

All those times opening for Eric Church and Luke Bryan as well as area gigs at clubs, casinos and even a rodeo have paid off for Pardi. He was the last show announced in this year’s grandstand lineup, and he drew 9,292 fans, not bad considering he was just at the sold-out Winstock festival in Winsted, Minn., in June.

“It may be Wednesday, but I trust everyone it’ll seem like it’s Saturday night,” Pardi declared early — and often.

The scene: It did seem like Saturday night the way the crowd carried on. That may have been aided by the grandstand having a pit in the front of the stage for 500 or so fans (the only grandstand show this year with that setup). The party decks at opposite ends of the grandstand were packed, which Pardi pointed out.

White cowgirl boots were de rigueur and Lainey Wilson-like Western hats were popular, too, while guys favored trucker caps and cowboy hats. No matter what they wore, the fans came to party to Pardi, which meant drinking, dancing and singing along.

The music: In 95 minutes, Pardi offered an array of drinking songs (“Fill ‘Er Up,” “Beer Can’t Fix”), dancing songs (“Heartache on the Dance Floor,” “Heartache Medication”), blue-collar anthems (“Dirt on My Boots”) and love songs (“Cowboy Hat,” “Head Over Boots”).

Since his first hit “Missin’ You Crazy” (which he didn’t perform) in 2012, Pardi, 39, has scored five No. 1 songs from his four studio albums. In 2023, he became the first California-born artist to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He’s from Dixon, Calif., which is about 23 miles outside of Sacramento.

Biggest takeaways: Pardi proved to be a spirited entertainer, with infectious energy and exaggerated dance moves borrowed from Luke Bryan, Dwight Yoakam and even Elvis Presley, those swiveling hips.

On record, Pardi has a nasally drawl but in concert he didn’t often sound like the voice on his recordings, coming across like a buzz-saw at times on Wednesday or just plain colorless.

Coolest moments: The fiddle-framed “Ain’t Always the Cowboy” confirmed Pardi has a way with ballads, but the many party pieces made the night memorable — especially the bouncy “Heartache Medication,” the dance-happy “Head Over Boots” and “Me and Jack,” which chugged along with a Johnny Cash rhythm.

Low point: Three solo acoustic numbers, including “When I’ve Been Drinking” and “Rainy Night,” slowed the momentum in the middle of a lively performance.

Best banter: Pardi’s conversation was pretty predictable and a little rote, especially when he said, “The energy in the room, in the building, is amazing.” Um, Jon, this was an outdoor concert.

The best patter came from guitarist Terry Lee Palmer, who mentioned the three things he knew about Minnesota: “One, you can only get Grain Belt beer here; two, you have a kickass football team called the Vikings, and three, you got some pretty rowdy country music fans.”

Opening act: Dillon Carmichael, 30, is well connected. He is the nephew of Nashville vets John Michael Montgomery and Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry. Plus he worked as a security guard at the Grand Ole Opry. The Kentuckian knows how to mine country cliches (“Red White Camo and Blue”), deliver bluster (“Pickin’ Up Girls,” “Big Truck”), reach for the sentimental (“Dancin’ Away My Heart,” “Son of A”) and turn a clever phrase (“Hot Beer,” “Sawin’ Logs”).

about the writer

Jon Bream has been a music critic at the Star Tribune since 1975, making him the longest tenured pop critic at a U.S. daily newspaper. He has attended more than 8,000 concerts and written four books (on Prince, Led Zeppelin, Neil Diamond and Bob Dylan). Thus far, he has ignored readers’ suggestions that he take a music-appreciation class.

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Review | James Taylor at the Santa Barbara Bowl, May 31, 2023

We’ve STILL Got a Friend

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Watching a James Taylor concert at the Bowl is a lot like having dinner with an old friend when you haven’t seen each other in a while. The first few moments of playing catch-up are a bit awkward: neither of you is as young as you used to be, and it can be jarring to see when those changes hit you all at once, rather than gradually as they do with the people you see all the time. But within a few minutes you’re back to laughing and smiling the way you used to, and it doesn’t take long to remember why you loved this person so much. 

Songs like his opener, “Something in the Way She Moves,” from his 1968 debut album James Taylor for Apple Records, about which he said was “the earliest song I’m willing to play in public,” are great reminders of the enduring charms of Taylor’s earnest melodies. “This was my audition piece for Apple Records. George Harrison and Paul McCartney signed me after I played it,” said Taylor. He noted rather cheekily that they liked it so much that, “afterward George went home and wrote it himself,” a reference to Harrison liking the song so much that he began with the words “Something in the way she moves” as the first line of his 1969 song “Something” from the Beatles album Abbey Road .

Up next was another old ditty, “Rainy Day Man,” followed by “Copperline,” which Taylor lyrically described as “a musical landscape painting about where I grew up in North Carolina.” The beautiful “Mona” (which previously unbeknownst to me is “about a pig and cold-hearted, cold-blooded, premeditated murder”) and a cover of the Chicks’ “Some Days You’ve Gotta Dance,” were early highlights of the show, as was the lullaby “Sweet Baby James,” an ode to Taylor’s then newborn nephew and namesake. “Shower the People,” Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” and “Fire and Rain” were among the other highlights of a lovely, heartfelt show.

The voice quality of a 75-year-old man, however spry he may be, is different than that of the 22-year-old he was when he wrote “Sweet Baby James” and many of his other hits — but what Taylor lacks in vocal range he more than makes up for in wit, charm, perspective, and the ability to put together a hell of a great band to work with. They all were exceptional, particularly Lou Marini (Blood Sweat & Tears, the original Saturday Night Live band) on sax, Andrea Zonn on vocals and fiddle, Larry Goldings on piano, and Michael Landau on guitar. And the sound mix was also notably terrific (something I usually only notice when it doesn’t work).

My only complaint about the whole lovely evening is that the band was so good, and Taylor was so charming, I wish they had trusted the music a bit more — show us more close-ups of these amazing musicians — and leaned a little less on the cheesy and unnecessarily distracting background videos. But that’s a minor matter in a show that was so memorable. It even had the perfect last two songs for the encore: the aptly reflective “Secret ‘o Life,” (“the secret of life is enjoying the things you have …”) followed by a beautiful duet of “Close Your Eyes” with Taylor’s 22-year-old son Henry Taylor, who sang back-up vocals for most of the night, but joined his father on guitar for that one. 

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Live: James on tour

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James open 40th anniversary tour in Brighton

JAMES – BRIGHTON DOME 25.4.23

Tonight is the first time that I’ve seen James for twenty-two years, and I must confess that they’re not a band that I’ve ever particularly rated. I’ve always thought that they were quite good, but not great as such. Also, I’ve always approached the concept of rock bands playing with orchestras with a degree of caution, probably as a result of a youthful encounter with Deep Purple’s Concerto For Group and Orchestra. Will tonight change my mind on both matters?

James’ line-up has had a slightly fluid nature, but it has grown into the nine-piece that we see today, consisting of founder member Jim Glennie (after whom the band is named) on bass and backing vocals; Tim Booth (everybody knows him) on vocals; Adrian Oxaal on lead guitar and cello; David Baynton-Power on drums and percussion; Saul Davies on rhythm guitar (and occasional lead), acoustic guitar, violin, percussion and backing vocals; Mark Hunter on keyboards, piano and programming; Andy Diagram on trumpet, percussion and backing vocals; Deborah Knox-Hewson on drums, percussion and backing vocals; and Chloe Alper, also on drums, percussion and backing vocals. If that wasn’t considered enough to fill a stage, tonight at Brighton Dome they are joined by a twenty piece orchestra (including a harpist) and a choir.

Prior to the gig I had heard the orchestral version of ‘ She’s A Star ’ from the forthcoming album ‘Be Opened By The Wonderful’, and on my Google Nest speaker my worst fears seemed to be confirmed: it sounded to me effectively like Tim Booth accompanied by an orchestra – oh dear.

Tonight, after the orchestra had taken the stage the band followed, but only Tim Booth, Jim Glennie and Saul Davies seemed to be present. This was clearly going to be awful. They despatched a really quite good version of ‘Laid’, and then to my great relief, the rest of the band and the choir joined them.

From this point on things rapidly start cooking really well. The band, orchestra and choir work really well together, without one overshadowing the others. It’s striking how instrumental melody lines are often shared between the guitars, keyboards, violins and the flute (I think that there was only one flautist), often simultaneously.

There is no lack of showmanship either. At one point Andy Diagram is up in the balcony standing in front of us as he plays the ‘Dirty Old Town’ introduction to ‘Hymn From A Village’. Deborah Knox-Hewson replaces David Baynton-Power behind the main drum kit for one song, giving it some real welly and headbanging like a good ‘un. During ‘Say Something’, Tim Booth takes a tour of the stalls, serenading individual fans. This is one particular moment of many when it becomes clear what a high degree of affection this band are held in by their fans. There is a real outpouring of love going on here.

The showmanship isn’t just confined to the band. During ‘Ten Below’ the orchestra stands and really goes for it! We even got a new song: ‘Love Make A Fool’, which has been specially written for this project. It actually has a surprisingly crunching feel to it. This ends the first half of the show. There is a half hour interval, which I am sure the performers need every second of!

Back in the day I always had a sneaking suspicion that Tim Booth thought he was a bit special, was a little bit ‘up himself’ as it were. If that was the case then (and I’m sure it wasn’t – he’s from Manchester!) it certainly isn’t the case now. The orchestra take their places, and Tim wanders on stage. He notices the conductor’s discarded baton. He makes a move to pick it up. The orchestra strike a warning note and glare at him. He tries again, same thing. Eventually he manages to pick it up and begins conducting in his own inimitable way (I honestly don’t have the words to accurately describe it). The orchestra play Ravel’s ‘Bolero’. Eventually the conductor comes onstage and rescues both Tim and the orchestra, and they effortlessly go into ‘Sit Down’. At a James show you even get comedy!!!

One of the key things about tonight’s show is that they’re not playing the kind of set that they normally play, so Tim tells us: “if you’re expecting lots of hits from the nineties, just sit back and enjoy the show!” Obviously, there are hits, but not as many as you might expect. Surprisingly ‘She’s A Star’ doesn’t get played, despite it being the first track from the new album to be released. Maybe the most surprising inclusion is ‘Why So Close’ from the ‘Stutter’ album (1986). This is performed acapella and is a cold war era song about the danger of nuclear war, and it is a song that seems frighteningly relevant now.

So, with regard to the two matters addressed in my opening paragraph, has tonight’s performance changed my mind? The answer: yes and yes.

As a two-hour plus skimming stone through James’ back catalogue I’ve renewed my acquaintance with a couple of old friends, and have heard some very impressive material that I’m going to have to hear more of. The collaboration with the orchestra worked brilliantly too. Rather than it being a sign of James perhaps having delusions of grandeur, it was an exciting new way for them to perform their material.

Even more surprising was that I discovered, having met some of the orchestra in the pub across the road from the venue, that the orchestra had been put together specially for this project. You would be forgiven for thinking that they’d been playing together for years. Not only was this a good first night of a tour, it was an absolute all-round triumph for everybody involved.

James setlist: 1. ‘Laid’ 2. ‘Dust Motes’ 3. ‘The Shining’ 4. ‘Look Away’ 5. ‘ We’re Going To Miss You’ 6. ‘Hymn From A Village’ 7. ‘ Moving On’ 8. ‘Hello’ 9. ‘Say Something’ 10. ‘Ten Below’ 11. ‘Love Make A Fool’ (Interval) 12. ‘Bolero’ 13. ‘Sit Down’ 14. ‘Beautiful Beaches’ 15. ‘Magic Bus’ 16. ‘Tomorrow’ 17. ‘ Alaskan Pipeline’ 18. ‘Why So Close’ 19. ‘The Lake’ 20. ‘Someone’s Got It In For Me’ 21. ‘Sometimes’ 22. ‘All The Colours’ 23. ‘Many Faces’ (encore) 24. ‘Nothing But Love’ 25. ‘Medieval’

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No phones, no clapping - but James couldn't stop the roar at extraordinary homecoming

James fans know to expect the unexpected.

• 11:04, 10 MAY 2023

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James fans know to expect the unexpected when it comes to the live performances of the evergreen indie troubadours. Back in Manchester for an extraordinary homecoming celebrating 40 years in music, it's with the spine-tingling addition of a live orchestra and gospel choir for this completely sold out James Lasted tour.

On the first of two nights at the 02 Apollo , the set list takes a glorious sweep of that 40 year career, from the anthemic Sit Down through to beautiful newie Love Make A Fool, with plenty of surprises in between.

Perhaps not to be expected, given the rampant revelery of a "normal" James gig, is the strict instruction before the band arrive on stage that fans put their phones away throughout this performance.

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Naturally, when frontman Tim Booth bounds onto stage, and then right into the audience for a walk through during the epic Just Like Fred Astaire, the no phone thing is a little hard for many in the audience to abide by. Security steps in to do a fair bit of admonishing to the phone-wielders while Tim leaps back onto the stage.

It becomes a bit of a stretch later in the show when Tim also asks for no clapping - when an elated audience here are keen to echo the opening pound of Getting Away With It. But guitarist Saul Davies has other ideas - cutting the music to make his own vocal proclamation.

“No no f*** it, f*** Tim," he says, before instructing us to rebel against the no clapping to huge cheers. "I'm pretty sure you've all been getting away with it for the past 40 years," he laughs.

Tim explains that the no clapping request is so as not to disrupt the timing of the orchestra. Yet the ORCA22 Orchestra are note perfect throughout this special night, even with the roar of the Manchester crowd.

They are led by Joe Duddell, who has arranged a magical collection of James songs for these shows (and the upcoming double album Be Opened by the Wonderful which, on this evidence, will be a must-by for fans).

The performance also features the stunning vocals of the Manchester Inspirational Voices Choir. Although on opening night at the Apollo there seemed to be some sound issues and I would have loved to hear more of their individual vocals from within the crescendo of competing sounds on stage.

Frontman Tim, however, is in the finest voice I've ever heard him, it's simply heavenly on the likes of Say Something, Sometimes and Tomorrow. His cut glass vocals soar to perfection and sound out the complex emotions of these songs, as if rising to meet the swell of the strings and brass.

Never is that more true than on Moving On, a true standout moment in this show, which Tim dedicates to "everyone who has lost someone recently". It was sheer goosebumps as he duetted alongside Chloe Alper on the elegy.

The effect is completed by the haunting perfection of Adam Diagram's trumpet solos. He is dressed rather fittingly like an angel for the occasion.

Meanwhile Tim, with his billowing trousers and loose shirt, is often spirited away by the music to throw his iconic wild dance moves, leading as he does the euphoria of the crowds. The improvisational spirit of the band remains - and they throw in an unexpected rendition of Someone's Got It In For Me.

Tim explains in the second half of the show that the no phone rule is "to help the intensity and our focus". Before adding: "But if you want your phone moment this is it, this is our new song Love Make A Fool" prompting a thousand mobile lights rising from the stalls.

The show heads to an all-singing and all-clapping conclusion where there is no stopping a crowd now in party mood. There is full voice for the familiar strains of Sit Down, Tomorrow and Sometimes in their reinvented new form.

The finale comes with the woo-woo wail of Tim, to herald a boombastic "second encore" of Born of Frustration. It was a near perfect setlist for me on Tuesday, but who knows what surprises the band will spring tonight?

But one thing's for sure for those heading along to the Apollo for the second sold out gig in Manchester on Wednesday is you're in for a truly memorable night.

Setlist - Apollo May 9, 2023

Dream Thrum

The Shining

Just Like Fred Astaire

Say Something

Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)

Nothing But Love

Love Make a Fool

Beautiful Beaches

Of Monsters and Heroes

Someone's Got it in For Me

Hymn From a Village

Bolero (Tim conducts)

All the Colours of You

Born Of Frustration

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Been a fan of James since the 90's and had only seen them once before in Manchester in the Mid 90's (appx) but I am a music fan period and I see a lot of bands/singers but rarely does a gig blow you out of your socks and through the doors like the Llandudno event did - Five new songs on the set-list from the forthcoming album to be released in August - every new song was awesome!

There was something about the band AND the

audience at the gig but I couldn't put my finger on it and I left the gig with one goal in mind.... attend Parr Hall Warrington the night after... I tried but it was in vain due to the demand and was sold out 10 minutes after the tickets went on sale. (Source Parr Hall Box Office)

So, after obtaining a ticket from a great fan in Prestwich Manchester on THE DAY, it was on to the King Georges Hall Blackburn on the Saturday night.

I didn't think the band could top Llandudno but the feedback from Warrington was amazing and then they performed at Blackburn... I can only describe the gig as IMMENSE! By now I'm out of socks, blown off by the energy from the band and

the fans... An explosive unification of sound and love....

I needed a recovery period as I have disabilities, and it was Tuesday I was reading the reviews on Halifax - I just inquisitively had a check on a fan-fan site to see if any poor soul couldn't attend and would sell their ticket for Middlesbrough... lol

Up I went to Cleveland on Wednesday for the hat-trick. Honest opinion, I think the all-seater venue had a slight dampening effect on both band and crowd although it was still a fantastic gig, it just lacked that explosion that I experienced at the previous two, but take nothing away, this was still an awesome evening.

I dare say, had I not already been committed to another event on the night of the Finale to the tour in Scunthorpe a couple of days later, I'm sure I would have been heading over the Pennines AGAIN lol

The new album 'Living in Extraordinary Times' is set for release on 3rd August and to showcase the album the band are playing the rebuilt (2010) Scarborough Open Air Theatre on 18th August, with it's 6500 capacity, I can't see there being tickets available for long.

(In order to appease younger fans that may not get tickets, Scarborough had to ask Britney Spears to play the 17th August as a second prize for them (lol - Only joking) but it does highlight the attraction of this venue and looking down the list of Artists having played the venue, the names get bigger each year,

culminating in 2018 hosting The Script, Gary Barlow, Steps, (My sister tells me this group can sell-out 20-30,000 arenas??) Alfoe Boe, Il Divo and Bastille. THE Great Tom Jones having played in July 2017

The O.A.T is rapidly turning into a must play venue for the top artists and thus the arrival of James and the army of souls that are connected to this remarkable band, both musically and spiritually, will descend on Scarborough with a treat in store for many people at the gig AND within earshot -

What is certain to be the new anthem of James, MANY FACES, has the most poignant chorus sang by the entire audience for 2-3 minutes, (last tour appx's) in my opinion, if carried on the a low cloud it has the potential to bring the town and it's visitors to a standstill - this is an incredible experience both being in the audience singing along and hearing it.

Lead singer Tim Booth had encouraged the audience at Venue Cymru (Opening night of the tour) to sing along with the chorus, but I'm not sure even he and the other band members could have expected the reaction from them - EVERYONE was singing these touching four lines back to them. This for me and my three attendances was the highlight of the tour.

(although available to hear on you tube and was heard live on Jools Holland's show (09/06) the mobile phone recordings at the venues and the missing 3,000 backing singers on Jools's show couldn't reflect the soul caressing emotion the lyrics heard/felt in that fashion induce)

Llandudno 9/10 - Blackburn 10/10 - Middlesborough 8/10 (The all seater venue just took away a slight edge but still great) Overall 27/30 - As a gig attendee for nearly 40 years now, I like to think I can give fair critical analysis of a performance, the fact I attended three gigs in a week states a lot and using a score from 20 for a single event, 16/20 would be outstanding for any band/artist, only Amy Macdonald, Birdy, Nerina Pallot and Stiff Little Fingers (in my opinion only) have emulated James in the past couple of years..

If you ever can... YOU MUST SEE JAMES - It's a music experience you will never forget....Needless to say my ticket for the Scarborough event is already sitting in my drawer...

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James is not a person. That’s the first fact we need to clear up. The second is that their best song is “Sit Down” (which was infamously beaten to the top of the charts by a certain Mr Chesney Hawkes).

The band has been recording and performing together for most of the last thirty years and has produced so broad a range of music with a fluctuating line-up that they are hard to categorise. Once they were folky, then they mastered late-‘80s jangly guitars, recorded an excellent live album and saw their record company go bust. Then their sound matured: they neatly side-stepped the Madchester scene while riding on its coat-tails to popular acclaim, became big on American college radio with “Laid” and recorded an album of experimental tunes with Brian Eno. They’ve worked with him since too.

I first saw the band perform live at the Leeds Town & Country Club in 1992. They could have filled bigger venues but they chose instead to perform an acoustic tour in preparation for their upcoming gigs with Neil Young. Stripped of their electric backing, some bands flounder. Not James. The band understands the importance of melody and in Tim Booth they have a singer whose lyrics poetically expose his vulnerabilities. Their 2011 tour with the Orchestra of the Swan and Manchester Consort Choir similarly demonstrated the strength and versatility of the band’s music.

Yet this band’s sound can just as easily fill arenas. In Manchester, their home, Booth will gladly walk among the audience of the Arena as he sings before returning to the stage for the band to unleash the full power of its art. In conclusion, this is a band which will adapt its sound to the venue and whose next step can never be predicted. See them at a venue near you.

I first saw James live back in 1998, when I was just fifteen. I saw them a further four times between 1999 and 2001, but haven't seen them since.

I can't properly describe how amazing they were last night (10th May 2016). I was expecting the band to be good, but not THAT good! They may even have been better than the last time I saw them.

I was (as always) front and centre, so got to witness the entire performance close up.

Tim Booth's voice was haunting, passionate and beautiful. His stage presence as ever enigmatic, dancing like a man possessed.

The band were on point, the musical arrangements stunning with the use of strings and brass making their old and new hits sound orchestral in the vintage grandeur of the Bournemouth O2.

I know James are pros at audience inclusion, and Tim is prone to wander the crowd during gigs, but to have him stood above me on the barrier, then crowd surf across me was brilliant! Then for him to climb back up on the barrier later and come down to dance with us was awesome! I danced with him once before, in Brighton, but really wasn't expecting to have so much interaction with him again this time.

The new album is great, and the setlist really brought old and new together in a seamless way.

I really did have a brilliant night, and will make sure I don't leave it another 15 years to see James live again, even though I'm sure they'll still be performing by then - in fact I'm pretty sure Tim Booth will last longer than I will (despite him being 23 years my senior) judging by his energy and how I feel today!!

Been a fan of James since the 90's, I am a music fan period and I see a lot of bands/singers but rarely does a gig blow you through the doors like the Llandudno event did - Five new songs on the set-list from the forthcoming album to be released in August - every new song was awesome!

There was something about the band AND the audience at the gig but I couldn't put my finger on it

I left the gig with one goal in mind.... attend Parr Hall Warrington the night after... I tried but it was in vain, so it was on to the King Georges Hall Blackburn on the Saturday night -

I didn't think the band could top Llandudno but the feedback from Warrington was amazing and then they did Blackburn...IMMENSE evening! By now I'm out of socks, blown off by the energy from the band and the fans... An explosive unification of sound and love....

I needed a recovery period as I have disabilities, and it was Tuesday I was reading the reviews on Halifax and I immediately began to 'see' if there was availability for Middlesbrough... lol

Up I went to Cleveland on Wednesday for the hat-trick. Honest opinion, I think the all-seater venue had a slight dampening effect on both band and crowd although it was still a fantastic gig, it just lacked that explosion that I experienced at the previous two. I am already commited to an event on Friday or I would have been on the mission to Scunthorpe for the finale.... If you ever can... YOU MUST SEE JAMES - It's a music experience you will never forget....

"I'm going to see James tonight" is a comment usually met by the response "Who?" or "Weren't they popular in the 90's?" "Oh , I remember them, Oh Sit Down..." etc But let me tell you this band is still amazing. They are current (new album out this year), they are nostalgia (Sit Down) they were ahead of their time in the 80's and the lead singer is as mad as a box of frogs but bloody hell he can sing. Tim Booth is the eccentric lead man of a band full of excellent musicians. The music is many layered and Tim Booth is hypnotic. He dances like he is melting into a spiral and you can't take your eyes off him. I have seen them 3 times now and you get between two and two and a half hours of solid music. He has as much energy and enthusiasm at the finish as he does at the start of the set . The gig on 23.11.14 at the NIA Birmingham was a mix of old and new material. Highlights of which were Tim crowd surfing and singing without missing a note, he appeared in the stands and was mobbed by fans but yet again note perfect. The only disappointment was that they had to miss out some of their big hit s like "She's a star" but I am still incredulous that they didn't do "Sit Down" But, do you know what?, the atmosphere at that concert was electric without it and anymore excitement and I think the crowd would have spontaneously combusted!

I've lost count of how many times I've seen James. Big venues, intimate venues, even rubbish venues - always astounding. Seeing them has become a pilgrimage rather than a night out and this is how they infect you. They attract & encourage an eclectic crowd who are always well behaved (apart from the dope who threw a bottle and who Tim insisted be ejected - proceless). The set list is always a surprise so beware, familiarise yourself with the back catalogue before you go, no song is so sacred as to leave it out eg "Sit Down" made it last night but I've not heard it live for years. Tim holds the audience in the palm of his hand and jokes that they are not perfect that James "f**k up", but surely that is in itself perfect, reminding you there are human beings creating the sound. To me it's beautiful. Top tip - put your phone away, see through your own eyes, get lost in the music and beckon Tim over. He's likely to accept the invitation. I understand & respect if James aren't your bag but please, please, please find an artist/group that is & watch them live. You won't regret it. I've been to Castlefield Bowl twice and really rate it. A natural space for theatre and really well organised.

Probably my best James gig ever though I've many to choose from! Stunning location and backdrop of the stained glass windows and domed ceiling of the Albert Hall,. Starting with an excellent set from Slow Readers CLub, James treated us to an improvised mini set/jam/Q&A plus some songs with a 4 piece string ensemble including a heartfelt and sublime version of Sit Down (not a song they play too often), James Allen of Glasvegas also played some songs before our James returned to indulge us with a gorgeous mixture of old and new tracks. My personal highlight was Come Home/ (but then maybe it always is) but in the heart of Manchester it was even more special. They never ever disappoint and always seem to strike the right balance of much loved classics, something you've not heard for a while and what's to come in the future. Brilliant night, a very worthy cause, wonderful crowd and a night you could just lose yourself in!

Absolutely fantastic. James is a wonderful band. I've been a fan since I first got the album, Laid on cassette in high school. However this is my first time to see the band live. The lead singer, Tim Booth was a wonderful show man and the band was really killing it! The band members are talented musicians, there was a horn player and a mandolin even came out at one point. The crowd was entranced and loving the performance. If you get a chance to see James live, I really think you should. I didn't even get to see the main act, Psychedelic Furs but I wasn't disappointed at all. I completely got my money's worth! I would recommend looking into seeing James as a main act. I missed out on "Say Something" and "She's a Star" because there was no time for an encore but the crowd was really wanting one!

I decided to head to see James on my birthday at the echo arena in Liverpool. And also that i was gonna busk me and my mate way in one way or the other. So i made a sign and found a good pitch just outside the arena. It didn't take long to get some tickets off some kind people who had spares for one reason or the other. made a few beer tokens too so we headed in and found our seats. I've been to see them many times before and they were as good as ever. We enjoyed Born of Frustration the most as he started the song stood right beside. There's a few youtube clips that show my mate offering Tim Booth a beer before he goes climbing through the audience. See you in Brixton and Birmingham in a few days x

Wow, what an amazing venue, definitely going back there, James came on just like a support act, no smoke, no bells and whistles, just casually walked onto the stage, took their places and played an amazing acoustic set, so laid back but brilliant, then they left the stage, "see you later" said Tim

Sure enough, back on they came to the more familiar smoke and darkness, although Tim was on crouches, that didn't stop him from dancing, it did, however, stop him from his usual surf crowding, and dance away he did, along with just about everyone else in the venue when I looked around, what a fantastic night, thank you James, yet again, just brilliant, can't wait to see you again and again and again.

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James announce double album and orchestral tour

14 November 2022, 14:28 | Updated: 14 November 2022, 14:38

By Jenny Mensah

The Manchester legends are celebrating their 40th anniversary with a new double album and orchestral tour dates. Find out how to buy tickets.

Listen to this article

James has announced the release of a double album and tour.

In honour of their 40th anniversary, the Manchester band's double album will feature new versions of their greatest hits, fan favourites and deep cuts recorded a Blueprint Studios, Manchester with a 22-piece orchestra and gospel choir.

The record - which is arranged and conducted by Joe Duddell - will also include a new track, with full formats and tracklisting soon to be announced.

Along with the new release comes the announcement of the James Lasted tour which will see the band head out on dates across the UK, which culminate in a show at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall.

Find out everything we know about the gigs below.

READ MORE: The best B-sides by Manchester bands

What are James' 2023 UK Tour dates?

25th April 2023: Brighton, Brighton Dome

26th April 2023:Cardiff, Saint Davids Hall

28th April 2023: York, York Barbican

29th April 2023: Edinburgh, The Usher Hall

1st Glasgow, SEC Armadillo

2nd Newcastle, 02 City Hall Newcastle

4th Sheffield, City hall

5th Birmingham, Symphony Hall

7th Liverpool, Philharmonic hall

9th Manchester, 02 Apollo

10th Manchester, 02 Apollo

12th Blackpool, Opera House

13th Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

15th Bath, Forum

17th London, Royal Albert Hall

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we are very proud to announce our upcoming 16 date UK tour ‘James Lasted’ and a double album release, both featuring Orca 22 (a 22-piece orchestra) and gospel choir. Pre-order to get pre-sale ticket access: https://t.co/DwpGrAUESZ pic.twitter.com/bYwxhCG1Ar — James (@wearejames) November 11, 2022

When do James' 2023 tickets go on sale?

Tickets for James' Lasted tour go on general sale from Friday 18th December at 9.30am from wearejames.com, www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Fans can pre-order the band's new album from their official store here to gain access to the pre-sale on Wednesday 16th November at 9.30am.

In celebration of our 40th anniversary, we are very proud to announce our upcoming 16 date UK tour ‘James Lasted’ and a double album release, both featuring a 22-piece orchestra and gospel choir! Pre-order the CD for exclusive pre-sale access to tickets: https://t.co/Kh34ggnP7i pic.twitter.com/hlr0PIpj6Z — James (@wearejames) November 11, 2022

Who's supporting James on their 2023 tour dates?

James' support acts and special guests are still to be announced.

James frontman Tim Booth says of the milestone “There are a number of great bands who have been around for 40. But to get here and to be having the best time of our lives. To be part of a supportive loving  family that still has something to say and new ways to say it. To be turned on by every gig and song. To fall in love over and over again, Groundhog Day, with our bandmates and audience. Damn. That’s time well spent.

READ MORE: The 50 best songs from Manchester

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CONCERT REVIEW : James Orchestral Takes Glasgow By Storm: A Musical Experience to Remember! 1st May 2023

James Orchestral celebrated an incredible milestone with an awe-inspiring performance at Armadillo Glasgow, marking the band’s 40th anniversary. The night was a magnificent display of Tim Booth’s unmistakable vocals, complemented by a full orchestra, resulting in a truly magical experience. The concert proved to be a treat for fans who were transported on a nostalgic musical journey, reliving fond memories and creating new ones.

The concert opened with the iconic “ Magic Bus ” as Tim Booth surprised the Glasgow audience by appearing on the balcony before walking through the crowd, performing the classic song. It was a superb start to the show that continued to captivate the audience with timeless hits such as “ The Shining ,” “ She’s a Star ,” “ The Lake ,” and “ Dust Motes .” The standout moment of the night was the emotional rendition of “ Someone’s Got It in for Me ,” as Tim Booth’s voice filled the room with raw emotion.

Tim Booth expressed his excitement at returning to Glasgow, as the city has always held a special place in the band’s heart. Having performed at the Barrowland Ballroom and the latest venue OVO Hydro during their last tour, tonight was an exceptional experience as the audience was in awe, listening to new arrangements of classic songs in an intimate setting.

James #played their fan favourites, including “ Hymn From a Village ” and the upbeat “ Hello .” “ Ten Below ,” leaving the audience dazzled and yearning for more. Tim Booth, the consummate showman, added an intimate and interactive touch to the concert by going into the audience during the performance of “ Tomorrow .” The energy in the venue was palpable, and the atmosphere electric, as James poured their heart and soul into every song.

The second set opened with the iconic “ Bolero ,” which immediately had the audience on their feet and cheering. The band performed a mix of classic and new songs, including hits like “ Sit Down ,” “ Beautiful Beaches ,” “ Say Something ,” “ Love Make a Fool ,” “ Alaskan Pipeline ,” “ Moving ,” “ Riders ,” “ Seven ,” “ Medieval ,” “ All the Colours of You ,” “ Many Faces ,” “ Sometimes (Lester Piggott) ,”

Going off stage for a short break before returning for the encore of “ Nothing but Love ,” and the excellent version of “ Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) .” The performance of each song was impeccable, and the audience was mesmerized by the band’s talent and energy.

The night was truly magical, with James Orchestral delivering a flawless performance that left everyone in attendance spellbound. The band’s energy was contagious and left no one untouched. Every song was performed with passion and precision, and it’s no wonder that they’ve stayed relevant in the music scene for four decades.

The Armadillo Glasgow concert was an unforgettable experience that showcased James amazing talent, musical prowess, and staying power. Fans were treated to a night of euphoric music that will stay in their hearts and minds for years to come. This concert was a testament to the power of music to unite people and create unforgettable memories. It was a night that will be cherished and remembered by all those fortunate enough to be in attendance.

Review by Karen Edmond & Photographs by James Edmond

Author: Karen Edmond

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Music | in rare exchange, santa clara county child welfare leaders endure epic takedown from supervisor arenas, music | review: the funniest man in rock ‘n’ roll delights bay area crowd, james taylor performed at stanford university.

“Well, that’s an excellent turn of events,” the 75-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Famer responded. “I can’t explain it, but I love you too.”

That drew one of what seemed like dozens of full-throttle laughs from the large crowd, as the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer — who also happens to be the genre’s funniest man in concert — took centerstage for a wonderful two-set show at Frost Amphitheater at Stanford University.

Taylor, who remarked more than once about the beauty of the open-air venue, was in fine voice throughout the night as he rolled, mostly gently, through two dozen songs in a little more than two hours of stage time (not counting the 20-minute set break).

The show began with a video montage of James Taylor playing “Something in the Way She Moves” through the years, kicking off in the early days of his remarkable career and moving steadily toward the present day. Then James Taylor — circa May 30, 2023 — appeared in the flesh before our eyes to finish the song in memorable fashion.

He went on to provide some background about the exquisite song, which he said was the number he played as an audition for Beatles Paul McCartney and George Harrison. It ended up doing the trick and Taylor was quickly signed to the band’s Apple Records, which released the artist’s eponymous debut in 1968.

“George liked it so much that he went home and wrote it himself,” Taylor said in what was an apparent (but lighthearted) reference to the well-noted similarities between his song and Harrison’s “Something” — which opens with lyric “Something in the way she moves.”

“Everything is recycled anyway,” reasoned Taylor, closing the topic with a smile.

He then got the crowd momentarily excited by announcing that the next selection would be a number about North Carolina.”

“Probably not the one you’re thinking about,” deadpanned Taylor, pulling the rug out from under our collective feet with great comic timing. “We’ll do that one later — in the second set. This is another song about North Carolina.”

Instead of the beloved “Carolina in My Mind,” he’d mine the very same parent album (“James Taylor”) and offer up a nice version of “Rainy Day Man.”

The star of the show shared the stage with as many as 12 musicians, who were accurately billed as Taylor’s “All-Star Band.” The roll call for the evening was drummer Steve Gadd, pianist Larry Goldings, vocalist-fiddler Andrea Zonn, backing vocalists Kate Markowitz, Dorian Holley and Henry (son of James) Taylor, horn player Lou Marini, keyboardist/horn player Walt Fowler, guitarist Michael Landau, percussionist Luis Conte and bassist-bandleader Jimmy Johnson. (Taylor’s wife Kim also appeared later in the show and added some backing vocals.)

Basically all of those band members would get the chance to shine as the group moved through such selections as “Copperline” (featuring superb fiddle work from Zonn), “Country Road” (one of many drum highlights from Gadd) and “Steamroller (with plenty of fretboard fireworks from Landau — who Taylor dubbed as “perhaps the best in the business”).

All along the ride, Taylor added commentary that proved to be incredibly effective even when (or, maybe, especially when) he went out on a limb to talk about some less-than-PC topics. Such was the case with “Mona,” the song about his pet pig, whose story — spoiler alert! — doesn’t end well.

“People have been requesting that song,” Taylor said at the conclusion of “Mona” (literally and figuratively). “Perhaps that will put an end to that.”

Of course, Taylor was on acoustic guitar for most of the evening. For “Steamroller,” however,” he would grab an electric guitar, an instrument he championed as “a great improvement over the gas-and-steam guitars.”

“Actually, we just played a show in Pennsylvania and we were surprised how many horse-drawn guitars are still in service,” he joked.

The show’s best moment may well have been the fantastic version of “Fire and Rain” performed in the second set, which drew a standing ovation from the crowd. Taylor carried that momentum over to the sing-along of “Shower the People” and then closed with “Your Smiling Face.”

The star returned for an encore, which he kept right on extending despite initially giving the impression that he might end it early.

“That looked pretty spontaneous,” he said of the band’s decision to return for another song. “We’re practicing our spontaneous.”

1. “Something in the Way She Moves”

2. “Rainy Day Man”

3. “Copperline”

4. “Everybody Has the Blues”

5. “Mona”

6. “Some Days You Gotta Dance”

7. “Sweet Baby James”

8. “Country Road”

9. “Steamroller”

10. “Mexico”

11. “Up on the Roof”

12. “Jump Up Behind Me”

13. “You Make It Easy”

14. “You’ve Got a Friend”

15. “Carolina in My Mind”

16. “Raised Up Family”

17. “Handy Man”

18. “Fire and Rain”

19, “Shower the People”

20, “Your Smiling Face”

21. “Summertime Blues”

22. “Shed a Little Light”

23. “Secret o’ Life”

24. “You Can Close Your Eyes”

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• May 17, 2023 Setlist

James Setlist at Royal Albert Hall, London, England

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• Magic Bus Play Video
• Beautiful Beaches Play Video
• The Lake Play Video
• Dust Motes Play Video
• The Shining Play Video
• Seven Play Video
• We're Going to Miss You Play Video
• Ten Below Play Video
• Moving On Play Video
• Say Something Play Video
• Born of Frustration Play Video
• Nothing but Love Play Video
• Boléro ( Maurice Ravel  cover) ( Orchestra conducted by Tim ) Play Video
• Sit Down Play Video
• Love Make a Fool Play Video
• Medieval Play Video
• Hello Play Video
• Someone's Got It in for Me Play Video
• Alaskan Pipeline Play Video
• She's a Star Play Video
• Just Like Fred Astaire Play Video
• Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) Play Video
• All the Colours of You Play Video
• Many Faces Play Video
• Hymn From a Village ( Dirty Old Town trumpet intro ) Play Video
• Tomorrow Play Video
• Sometimes (Lester Piggott) Play Video

Note: With Orchestra 22, conducted by Joe Duddell, & Manchester Inspirational Voices Gospel Choir

Edits and Comments

11 activities (last edit by event_monkey , 24 Aug 2024, 02:05 Etc/UTC )

Songs on Albums

• Just Like Fred Astaire
• Someone's Got It in for Me
• We're Going to Miss You
• All the Colours of You
• Beautiful Beaches
• Say Something
• Sometimes (Lester Piggott)
• Alaskan Pipeline
• Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)
• The Shining
• Hymn From a Village
• Love Make a Fool
• Born of Frustration
• She's a Star
• Nothing but Love
• Boléro by Maurice Ravel

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Venue Spotlight: Royal Albert Hall

James gig timeline.

• May 10 2023 O2 Apollo Manchester Manchester, England Add time Add time
• May 12 2023 Blackpool Opera House Blackpool, England Add time Add time
• May 17 2023 Royal Albert Hall This Setlist London, England Add time Add time
• May 28 2023 In It Together Festival 2023 Port Talbot, Wales Add time Add time
• Jun 20 2023 Civic Hall Wolverhampton, England Start time: 9:05 PM 9:05 PM

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Tour Update

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Kevin james has shows all over the u.s. in 2023. some tickets are $52.

The King of Queens is branching out from his borough this year.

Comedian and bona fide movie star Kevin James has 34 shows remaining on his ongoing “Irregardless” stand-up tour and may be coming to a city near you soon.

Over the next few months, he’s set to perform at Huntington’s The Paramount on Jan. 21, Stony Brook’s Staller Center on Jan. 28, then he’s back at Huntington’s The Paramount on March 19.

After that, he’ll drop in Staten Island’s St. George Theatre on April 15, and Chester’s Sugar Loaf Performing Center on May 21 and has a pair of shows at Red Bank’s Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Did we mention that tickets for some shows start as low as $52 before fees on Vivid Seats too?

That’s a deal so good, it almost made us smile as much as James’ jokes do.

So, if you want to see the “Hitch,” “Paul Blart,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,” “Home Team,” and “Grown Ups” star live in 2023, here’s everything you need to know about the “Irregardless Tour.”

Kevin James 2023 tour dates

James’ comedy will take him all over North America up until his final scheduled show at Boston’s Wilbur Theatre on June 11.

Before he gets to Beantown, he has huge shows in Knoxville (Feb. 3), Tampa (Feb. 8), Detroit (March 5), Boise (March 22) and Seattle (March 24).

A complete calendar including all dates, show start times, venues and links to buy tickets can be found here .

How to watch Kevin James comedy specials

Looking to brush up on James’ body of work before seeing him live?

He’s only released two specials — and the most recent one came out five years ago — but both are available to stream online.

Here’s how you can see them.

“Sweat the Small Stuff” (2001) can be streamed on Netflix “Never Don’t Give Up” (2018) can be streamed on Netflix

Comedy stars on tour in 2023

Many of James’ contemporaries will also be strutting their stuff at venues all over the U.S. this year.

Here are just five of our favorite professional funny people who may be coming to a venue near you soon.

•  Jerry Seinfeld

•  Adam Sandler

•  Kevin Hart

•  Sarah Silverman

•  Steve Martin and Martin Short

Wish there were even more comedians you could see live this year?

Well, good news — there are.

Here’s a mega list of 51 comedians going on tour in 2023 .

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Live review: James Orchestral Tour spellbinds at Manchester Apollo

By Izzy Langhamer

Article Summary

Since the early 1980s, James  have been delighting fans across the world with their discography of smash hits, deep cuts, and hidden gems. Now they’re taking to the stage like never before, to perform their latest album ‘Be Opened By the Wonderful’. An imaginative revisiting of their back catalogue including a euphoric new song – ‘Love Make a Fool’ – the project sees the band join forces with a 22 piece orchestra and gospel choir, to produce a fresh and evocative sound. Taking their new album to Manchester Apollo last week, the band gave a tour de force performance unlike any other.

Settling down in the Apollo, it was clear that this show would be more than just your average gig. For one thing, the audience was seated, for another there were clear ‘no phones’ signs hung up around the venue. This initial atmosphere of calm didn’t stop the crowd from dancing in the seats, shouting the words to James’ familiar classics or the energy rising.

We watched as the stage filled up with the ORCA22 Manchester orchestra, Manchester Inspirational Voices choir, and finally James frontman himself, Tim Booth . Emerging to the roars of an exhilarated home-crowd, Booth begins the show with characteristic wit, jokingly conducting the orchestra himself whilst ‘waiting’ for the conductor (the brilliant Joe Duddel) to join.

Opening with perhaps James’ biggest hit, ‘Sit Down’ , Booth is immediately at home on stage with the knack of a singer who knows just how to electrify the crowd. The ‘no phones’ rule creates an intimate spell over both band and audience, as Booth bounds into the aisles: he joyfully thrashes and spirals throughout the set in moves only comparable to a fuzzy worm on a string . We’re told by Booth that they ‘like to surprise’ themselves with the songs they play. My friend excitedly whispers to me that James went through a phase of leaving ‘Sit Down’ off the setlist. This sold-out gig is clearly one for the fans, and filled like a Christmas stocking with big fat hits and fan favourites.

James rattle through their reworked songs and the likes of ‘Space’, ‘Seven’, and ‘Top of the World’, the gorgeous sounds of the gospel choir breathing fresh life into them and harmonizing beautifully with Booth’s soaring voice. Some of the best songs include a revitalised ‘Say Something’ and the spellbinding ‘She’s a Star’, whilst others suffer a little from a lack of guitars and drums at points, ‘Laid’ being the one song I felt could have done with more punchy production.

Elsewhere, the orchestra and choir are welcome and energised additions. ‘Moving On’, a song written after the death of Booth’s mother, works wonderfully, the refrain “Leave a little light on” cascading movingly through the crowd. The sheer number of people and instruments makes for an overwhelmingly touching tribute whilst maintaining the intimacy of Booth’s performance. Saul Davies is impressive and charismatic on violin, and Jim Glennie ‘s guitar injects a much needed call-back to James’ indie rock roots.

The band’s new release ‘Love Make a Fool’ is the one point in the set where the ‘no phone’ rule is dropped. The stage is flooded with light, with the orchestral production amplifying the anthemic power of the song. Another high point is ‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)’, which cuts to the heart of James’ strength: beguilingly complex lyrics with a stand-out chorus that unites the Manchester crowd in harmony. Booth seems to be having the time of his life on stage.

After the interval, he appears like magic in the circle seats to sing ‘Magic Bus’, stretching out with abandon over heads in the stalls. It’s these moments of surprise that give the show its atmosphere, and have cemented their place as a unpredictable, riotously fun live act. The last third of the show takes place with the audience entirely on our feet, swaying, singing, and hugging to songs like the heady ‘Born of Frustration’. At the end of a well-received encore, James finish with ‘Hymn From a Village’, the perfect jangly closer to an evening filled with elation and mad-cap energy. As hometown gigs go, you simply can’t get better.

• james orchestral tour
• Manchester Apollo

Izzy Langhamer

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