James at Brixton Academy in 1989 was one of the first gigs I ever went to. I have loved them ever since and I am told that when I try and "make some shapes" I dance like Tim Booth with a generous spattering of Bez, excellent when you are a lean, lithe star but appalling when you are a 15 stone drunk with very little rhythm. Brixton Academy is the finest live music venue in the known universe and I have neglected it of late. Both Tim and I agree it is wonderful to be back.
In the beginning, pre Sit Down, James were a cheeky four piece with three albums of fantastically crafted songs championed by Morrissey as "the best band in the world". Despite limited commercial success their live shows had a large and loyal following. One Man Clapping, a self-financed live album released by the band after they were dropped by Sire, remains a much sought-after classic. James also produced simple but highly prized t-shirts which were readily snapped up by people who, although they had never heard Come Home, were quite prepared to have it emblazoned on their chest, back or sleeve. There was a time when the band survived on t-shirt sales topped up with the income from being human guinea pigs at a new drug testing centre. The release of Sit Down caught James by surprise and changed all that. They now have double platinum albums and American success.
Tonight they start with four new songs. "Stick with us," asks Tim, but he needn't worry. They are superbly received and form a brilliant preparation for the first of the rabble-rousers, Say Something, which gets a huge reception as does the highly appropriate deluge Sometimes, followed by Tomorrow. James then wheel out more new material, swirling orchestral arrangements, "the difficult ones" that end with "Pleased to meet you" tritely delivered by Tim shaking hands with practically everyone who wants to.
"Whoaaaaa Whoo Whooooooo Born of Frustration" announces a return to more familiar ground and they spend the next 45 minutes raiding their back catalogue of catchy sing-a-long hits. Tim Booth is a marvel to watch when in full flight, as he spins and throws himself around the stage like a demented rag doll. The crowd respond in similar manner and by How Was it For You the pace is frenetic. When James leave the stage the call for more is unanimous.
Tim Booth returns to the stage (with a mug of herbal tea!) to deliver On Top Of The World before the huge crowd pleaser that is 'Laid' and then he encourages a stage invasion for a superb Ring The Bells. Twenty or so people take the challenge and swing their pants as the band retreat to the back of the stage to let them go for it. This all ends with the band, Invasion and Security all hugging each other in joyful exuberance (granted, the Security hugs were done in an 'encouraging off stage' kind of way but we know they are happy too).
"Do you want more? You all know this one," he tells us, and we do. Come Home. I am not alone in being unable to resist an urge to surge forward, my Booth/Bez flailing in the mosh quickly earns me being voted as the next person to be chucked over the top. As I hit the security pit I get to shake Tim Booth's hand and we are both thinking; 'what is this old bastard doing here?!'
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