James kicked off their summer back in April with a warm-up show in Middlesbrough, setting the tone for what has been a whirlwind few months. From triumphant headline sets at Neighbourhood Weekender and Lincoln Castle, to stunning performances in Spain and Portugal, and even stadium support slots alongside Catfish and the Bottlemen, the band have been riding high. But as all good things must come to an end, their run closed on 31st August with a fitting finale at Rock N Roll Circus in Sheffield.
The band kicked off with a powerful performance of ‘Waltzing Along’, setting the tone for the night before launching into the high-octane ‘Ring the Bells’. Written about breaking free, it’s a track that always goes down a storm – having been played six times this year, it’s familiar enough to feel like a staple, yet still fresh whenever it appears. ‘Interrogation’ slowed the pace, with its tension building pulse and a trumpet line from Andy Diagram that boosted the already emotional melody.
‘Leviathan’ made a welcome return to the set this summer, and it served as the perfect backdrop for frontman Tim Booth’s first trip to the barrier. Grabbing a fan’s hand, he climbed up and took in the scale of the crowd, gazing out at the vast tent he’d dubbed “a big fucking top” just ten minutes earlier. Tim returned to the stage for ‘Five-O’, a fan favourite that seems to take on a life of its own. The track becomes a showcase for the band’s collective talent – especially Saul Davies, who effortlessly transitions from ferocious violin shredding to delicate plucking as the song rises and falls in both tempo and emotion. ‘Five-O’ also highlights the band’s tight-knit chemistry, with moments of spontaneous improvisation as they feed off one another’s energy. Tim watched in awe, pacing the stage as if drawing power from the performance itself.
Though James are known for defying expectations, ‘Johnny Yen’ felt like a fitting choice in the circus-like setting – and it was met with a rapturous response. Masters of setlist craft, the band seamlessly shifted gears with ‘Way Over Your Head’, perhaps the most beloved track from their latest album Yummy. Lyrically and musically, it’s a stunning piece. Its slower pace typically keeps Tim away from the barrier, but swept up in the crowd’s emotional energy, he made his way over for the song’s poignant final lines. Tim remained at the barrier for ‘Moving On’, amplifying the emotional weight of the brave tribute to loss. Anchored by Jim Glennie’s steady bassline, the current live arrangement is more concise than usual – cutting straight to the heart by reaching the chorus earlier.
There’s no doubt about it – most bands would give anything to have a back catalogue as powerful as James. Decades into their career, their collection of hits feels stronger than ever, a testament to their ability to craft timeless anthems that still resonate today. Next up came a triple whammy that perfectly captured their range and brilliance: the soaring ‘She’s a Star’, distinctive ‘Born of Frustration’ and hopeful ‘Tomorrow’. Introduced as a song for anybody close to the edge, the latter was driven by Saul’s acoustic guitar, before being lifted both emotionally and musically.
Tim has never shied away from tackling difficult or vulnerable subjects in his songwriting, and the Yummy track ‘Stay’ was a perfect example. Electro-infused and deeply empathetic, it carries a heartfelt message to the younger generation – urging them to hold on, persevere, and confront their struggles rather than give in. The track’s emotional weight was amplified by the interplay between Tim and Chloe Alper, their voices weaving together with a raw honesty that made the plea even more powerful. Their harmonies don’t just compliment each other; they elevate the song into something both intimate and universal.
Sticking with the new material, the band followed up with another Yummy track, ‘Shadow of a Giant’ – delivering a performance that transcended the song itself. Chloe quietly commanded the stage, seated at the front and bathed in soft light as she sang the ethereal opening, while Tim took his place on the drum riser, allowing the moment to unfold. The atmosphere deepened with a haunting violin solo from Saul and beautifully restrained cello from Adrian Oxaal, whose remarkable talent shone brightly – even though he humbly avoids the spotlight.
As the instantly recognisable intro of ‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)‘ rang out, Tim stood poised at the top of the steps leading to the barrier – clearly itching to join the crowd, feeding off their energy and craving that deep connection he’s known for. A song that’s come to feel like a mission statement for the band, its anthemic defiance and emotional grit resonated deeply, setting the tone for what followed. Keeping the momentum high, the band launched straight into ‘Come Home’, with Mark Hunter’s swirling keys driving the charge and reminding everyone why it remains one of James’s most iconic and enduring anthems.
Next came the lush soundscape of ‘Beautiful Beaches‘, layered with driving, punchy drumming from both David Baynton-Power and Debbie Knox-Hewson. A clear fan favourite, the All the Colours of You track seemed to spark even bigger reactions as the summer shows progressed. Inspired by the harrowing reality of families fleeing California wildfires, the song carries an urgent energy – one that builds to a powerful crescendo after Chloe’s gospel-infused spoken word segment. At that point, Dave and Debbie launched into an exhilarating drum battle, their rhythms colliding with intensity as a daisy burned and withered on the screen behind them – a stark visual echo of the song’s environmental warning.
‘Sit Down’ can begin with either Mark Hunter’s delicate piano intro or Dave Baynton-Power’s thunderous drumbeat—and for the final gig of the summer, with the atmosphere in the tent already electric, they went with the latter. A song that everyone knows, it triggered a euphoric crowd reaction – surely a breathtaking sight from the stage. One of the most magnetic frontmen in music, Tim knows exactly how to command a crowd. While there was no mass sit-down like the one he led in Alicante the week before, he whipped the audience into a frenzy, keeping the chorus alive well beyond the final note.
With the encore window narrowing and time tight, a quick onstage huddle led to the band launching into the pulsing rhythm of ‘Sometimes’ – a track they clearly relish performing. It’s just as well, as they’re set to play it every night on their upcoming North American tour, where Laid will be performed in full. Driven by ferocious acoustic guitar, the performance saw drummer and percussionist Debbie step to the front of the stage, guitar in hand, adding to the song’s communal spirit. ‘Sometimes’ dares the crowd not to sing along – and no one dared resist. ‘Laid’ closed the night on a euphoric, communal high, with the entire crowd singing every word as the band beamed from the stage. Chloe, Debbie, and Tim danced with infectious energy, while Andy’s trumpet added a joyful flourish absent from the original recording – lifting the song into something even more celebratory.
It felt fitting that the tour ended in Sheffield – a city with which the band shares a long-standing connection, having recorded both Whiplash and Hey Ma there. That bond clearly runs both ways, with Sheffield once again delivering the kind of high-energy, wholehearted crowd that makes a James show feel less like a performance and more like a shared celebration. From the intimate warm-ups in Middlesbrough and Edinburgh, to stadiums, castles, festivals, and finally a circus tent, the past few months have showcased a band still evolving, still taking risks, and still delivering unforgettable moments night after night. With a North American tour ahead, the band show no signs of slowing down – and if this summer proved anything, it’s that their connection with their fans is stronger than ever.
You can read some of our other James review from the Summer here: Middlesbrough | Edinburgh | Llangollen