James

Delamere Forest, July 5

DEEP into Delamere Forest, you would be forgiven for thinking a family fun day is being held, not a rock concert.

Manchester indie legends James are the star attraction of the last of three Forest Live concerts put on by the Forestry Commission, and families from around the North West seem to have descended on the forest.

Cool bags, hampers and packed lunches are the order of the day on this warm evening, as music fans set up camp ready for tonight’s headliners.

The sold out gig has a festival feel to it but without the horrible toilets and muddy fields of most events, and with fans being allowed to bring in their camping chairs and rug they can make themselves at home.

Opening up proceedings is James Walsh, frontman of newly reformed Starsailor, who showcases his new solo material as well as some fan favourites by the Wigan four-piece.

But the night really gets going when James, who originally formed in 1982, take to the stage and deliver an atmospheric rendition of Sound.

During a near 90 minute set, the band take us on a tour of their wide ranging back catalogue, with five tracks from most recent album La Petite Mort getting an airing, including the single Curse Curse and Moving On, written by singer Tim Booth after the death of his mother.

Booth is up to his usual tricks tonight, stage diving, showing off his inimitable brand of dancing and generally losing himself in the music.

But he has the substance to back up the bravado, and the power of his voice has not left him.

Fan favourites Ring the Bells and Born of Frustration grace the early part of the set, with performances of Laid, Come Home and Sometimes leaving the 5,000 strong crowd in raptures.

Just to top off the night, guitarist Larry Gott tears into rarely played mega hit Sit Down, which was beaten to the number one spot in 1991 by Chesney Hawkes’ The One and Only.

But in the eyes of James fans, there is only one band they follow.