JAMES

OLYMPIA, DUBLIN

17/4/2007

Formed in Manchester in 1981, James already had two of the best possible conditions to go on and have success. Taking proper form in 1982, Model Team came across the manic Tim Booth in a student disco where he was invited to be a dancer in the band but his other qualities soon emerged and he subsequently became the band's lead singer. The band took on a new name when they felt they should name the band after a member, Gavan was too metal, Paul was too modest, Tim felt it sounded too egotistical to have the lead singer's name as the band name but James seemed to sum up the band perfectly. After Factory Records caught the band live, James were offered a record deal where they released an EP and gained a support spot for The Smiths. However with this new found fame came problems in the form of founder member Paul Gilbertson having problems with drugs and ultimately leaving the band and both Booth and James Glennie's search for spiritual guidance by joining a sect. More problems lay ahead with two poor albums and record lable rejection. Regardless of this the band maintained a solid fan base due to their high fuelled live shows and with their iconic daisy tee shirt 'Manchester's best kept secret' was slipping out by the late 80's.

1990 brought the band's breakthrough album Gold Mother in the heart of the 'Mad-chester' era and singles like Sit Down and Come Home epitomised the movement perfectly. The band truly became a household name with their 1992 album Seven reaching No.2 in the album charts. The band played Alton Towers that summer to 30,000 people and subsequently gained a support slot to Neil Young on an outdoor US tour gaining an American audience too. During 1995 their lead guitarist left, their manager left (leaving behind a £250,000 tax bill) and Booth wanted to venture into a side project, yet a two year break brought a new James album Whiplash and a top ten single, She's A Star. Again more rifts broke out when Booth injured himself during a financially stretched US tour which ultimately led to a full blown row between Booth and Glennie over money.

JOY

A best of album soon brought joy to the camp and the situation was resolved leading way for 1999 album Millionaires. However nothing came of it and with a career spanning nearly 20 years James had seen its best days and Booth announced his departure to focus on a solo career. Forward it to 2007 and the rejoining of James for seven intimate English dates (all selling out in a day) and one Irish date with a line up consiting of the late 80's laid album.

Having a good relationship with Ireland, such as a past Olympia date and a slot at Slane Castle, James's Irish date was to be expected but it not only acted as a treat for Irish fans but as a bonus date for our neighbours as many English fans had made the trip over to see their 90's heroes all over again. British band The Twang offered nothing exciting as a support so it was all about James in their 26th year in the business. As the slightly weathered line-up took to the stage an obvious change was visible in the bald headed, goatee wearing Tim Booth which was a far cry from long brown curls he supported in the 90's.

Their typical absorbing actions recreated those gigs of yesteryear and backed up why those seven British dates sold out so quick. Opening with Destiny Calling was very apt as a reunion had been destiny calling for many years now. Booth, with his dominance onstage, whipped the crowd into a wild frenzy with his irresistible pop-rock voice. Although constantly making actions to the soundman for higher guitars and higher drums nothing seems odd or off, only a band who wanted to recreate those sounds they orginally exhibited first time round. Such classics like Sit Down, Sometimes and Come Home were all enevitably played but we also got to hear some new material such as Who Are We? that will surely feature on their new long awaited comeback album.

STRONG PERFORMANCE

With a full two-hour set including two encores, the band delivered a strong performance to an awe struck crowd. 9/10

Nostalgia was high for those ex students who probably were on a different kind of high when James first came over to Ireland but if they have tickets for Oxegen then they'll have it all to look forward to again as the band take to the main stage on the Sunday.

* Next week I'll have a review of

36 Crazyfists and Twelve Tribes who

play Belfast's Spring and Airbrake this coming Saturday