Neighbourhood Weekender took a break in 2024, but it returned in style this year, with James headlining Saturday night. The band last topped the bill in 2021, stepping in for Ian Brown after he dropped out over COVID-19 vaccination requirements. With no Manchester date on their current tour, the Warrington-based festival served as the closest thing to a hometown show - and it certainly felt like one.
Despite hours of rain, the energy in the crowd was electric - evident from the roar that erupted as James took the stage to the brooding opener, Johnny Yen. A staple from their early years, the track perfectly captures the band's formative sound and always lands with impact. It rolled seamlessly into the buoyant Waltzing Along, which prompted Tim Booth’s first journey to the barrier, before returning to the stage for She’s A Star. One of the band’s biggest commercial hits, it sounded as anthemic as ever, its high-pitched chorus showcasing Tim’s powerful vocals that are as strong as they were upon the tracks release in 1997.
Energy levels stayed high for the rhythmic Ring The Bells before Tim introduced the first new track of the evening, Stay. Featuring delicate guitar work from Saul Davies and warm vocals by Tim that showcase the tracks emotional depth, it was the first offering of the night from the band’s latest album, Yummy. Choosing to slow the pace is a bold move for any festival headliner, but James have never been afraid to take risks. Way Over Your Head - the second track of the night from the number one album - offered a moment of calm introspection, its reflective lyrics on life’s struggles drawing the crowd into a raw and vulnerable space. The song steadily built and, in a moment that has become a highlight of the band’s live sets since the release of their number one album, blossomed into a stunning climax with the entire band singing in powerful unison.
There was a generous helping of hits throughout the night, with Say Something and Sometimes arriving back-to-back. As the crisp guitar line of Say Something rang out, Tim made his way to the barrier, selecting a fan to hold him aloft for two verses - amplifying the sense of hope and connection that the song’s introspective lyrics evoke. Sometimes followed - a rare early-set appearance for a song usually reserved for the encore, where its anthemic build often brings the night to a powerful close. Even without its extended outro, the track carried full emotional weight, with Adrian Oxaal’s electrifying guitar solo injecting a burst of energy that lifted the entire band. Tim, in particular, responded with renewed intensity, feeding off the moment. It was a striking example of James’ ability to transform any point in the set into a shared, intimate experience.
Though never released as a single, Leviathan felt every bit like one, standing out as a highlight of the night. Mark Hunter’s hook-laden keyboard riff burst into a full-band cacophony of techno-infused energy, before Tim brought everything - including the crowd - to a hush with whispered vocals that effortlessly commanded attention. As the band all burst back in, it drew attention to not just their tight live cohesion, but the significant contributions that each member brings to their sound. Heads - another Living In Extraordinary Times track - followed, introduced by Tim as a song reflecting on the chaos unfolding in the United States. The song’s aggressive rhythm and vocal delivery, which teeters on the edge of shouting, gave it a fierce and restless edge. In stark contrast, the sonically rich Shadow Of A Giant slowed the pace, opening with a delicate pairing of Chloe Alper’s vocals and Saul’s graceful violin. As the track progressed, Chloe joined forces with Tim, their voices weaving together in a seamless and stirring harmony.
Attention followed, introduced as a song for the younger members of the band - and for those who came to dance. Known for capturing James’ experimental spirit and their refusal to be boxed into a single genre, the track placed the spotlight firmly on Mark, as it shifted from a delicate piano ballad into a pulsing, distorted EDM-inspired crescendo. James are known for mixing up their setlists - they’re not a greatest hits band - but they’re far from self-indulgent. They often follow lesser-known tracks with crowd-pleasers, and this time it was the anthemic Getting Away With It (All Messed Up), which saw Tim return to the barrier before diving into the crowd for one of his iconic surfs, while percussionist Debbie Knox-Hewson also came forward with a tambourine to dance and engage with fans along the platform.
While Tim was still immersed in the crowd, the synth-fuelled intro of Come Home rippled across the field. The song gave several band members the freedom to step forward, dance, and connect with the audience - their energy and smiles reflecting pure joy. With its infectious chorus, it proved to be the ultimate festival anthem, igniting the crowd and turning the entire field into one vibrant celebration - a celebration that continued with the timeless anthem, Sit Down. Instantly recognisable as David Baynton-Power’s drumbeat kicks in, Sit Down never fails to spark the biggest communal singalong - and this time was no exception. As Tim stood at the side of the stage beneath the big screen, watching the crowd take over the vocals, Chloe and Debbie crouched on the platform, all three gazing out in absolute awe at the sea of voices before them.
Tomorrow was a euphoric high point of the set, with Saul revving up the crowd as he tore into his acoustic guitar from the front of the stage. Beautiful Beaches followed, led by a rolling bassline from Jim Glennie that anchored its energy. Though jubilant on the surface, the song masks a darker undercurrent in its lyrics - an urgent tale of escape from disaster wrapped in sunny melodies. Sound took things on an atmospheric turn, stretching out into a swirling, expansive jam that demonstrated the band’s ability to build tension and texture. Laid brought the night to a raucous close, its cheeky lyrics and pulsing rhythm igniting the field one last time, with Andy Diagram’s trumpet line cutting sharply through the mix. The perfect finale, it had every voice in the crowd reaching for Tim’s soaring high notes, some closer than others, but all joining in with joyful abandon.
James’ Neighbourhood Weekender set was a triumphant display destined to be remembered and talked about for years to come. Undeterred by unpredictable weather and the festival atmosphere, they commanded the stage with unmistakable charisma, effortlessly weaving fresh material with beloved classics. It was more than a headline performance - it was a vibrant celebration of a band that continues to evolve, take risks, and captivate audiences year after year.
James' official website can be found here. They are on Facebook and Twitter. Some of the band - Tim, Andy and Dave - are also on Twitter.
We also run the One Of The Three James archive, the most detailed resource for information about the band, and the site also has a Facebook and Twitter page.
TimBoothLyricADay, whose posts often lead to Tim explaining his thought processes behind the lyrics, can be found on Twitter and Facebook
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