James at Cardiff Castle Laid bare what sets them apart from their '90s counterparts
Smack dab in the middle of a rash of 1990s acts taking over the city's venues is Manchester rock act James. While a constant during the decade, the band stood apart from the crowd with their vibrant and vital mix of indie/electronica/alternative and pulsating tracks like Laid, Come Home and She's a Star.
And as Cardiff Castle's latest musical guests they proved why their music has endured with a breathless set of hits the audience absolutely lapped up - or at least sang along to at the tops of their voices. Maybe it was something about the hot evening, but their near-two hour set seemed to fly by with an energy and heat that was enviable.
It's no secret that James' live shows have a frantic and exciting energy that's whipped up even further by the band's evident enjoyment.
Tim Booth regularly gets up close and personal with audience members and the enigmatic frontman, now 65, doesn't stop getting in amongst it and dancing. The double drums/percussion, plus the violin and trumpet players lifted the performance to a frentic, but composed, level.
This gig was basically a lot of fun to watch and if you couple that with a list of songs that have been part of my singalong consciousness for the past 30 years, then I'm basically in my element. Do not disturb me when I'm singing Laid, especially the 'skeweeers' part or expect me not to 'wooowooowooo' at the pertinent bit of Born of Frustration.
Special mention, too, to support act Shed Seven, whose warmth and connection with fans makes seeing Going For Gold and Chasing Rainbows live a pleasure. Rick Whitter is funny and engaging and kind with fans.
Any band in your emotional back catalogue will have the power to elicit emotion and James' Say Something was beautiful to hear live, while their 2014 track, Moving On was dedicated to members of the crowd who had lost someone in recent times, due to Booth's inspiration being the loss of his mother.
I think James' skill in their song-writing combined with their live performances and connection with their fans, is their sincerity - you can tell the majority of their creations come from their experiences and emotions. That makes them a band that will never disappear from my favourites playlist.
To see our review of 1990s icon, Alanis Morissette, click here. And for our verdict on the return of Oasis, supported by Richard Ashcroft and Cast, click here.
Long live the '90s.
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