Shooting Our Mouths Off

On Saturday 10th December 2016, James and The Charlatans shared the stage at a sold-out Liverpool Echo Arena for a special one-night-only event that brought together two of Manchester’s most iconic bands. Both acts delivered sets that showcased why they remain at the top of their game, and the success of that unforgettable evening was clear when, in July, they announced from backstage at Latitude Festival that they would reunite for a four-date UK tour. Visiting Glasgow, London, Manchester and Leeds, the run saw the two bands join forces once again – and we caught their stop at Manchester Arena on Saturday 8th December.

Kicking off this epic homecoming were The Charlatans, who arrived fresh from the release of their thirteenth studio album, ‘Different Days‘ – a record featuring an impressive array of collaborators, including Johnny Marr and Stephen Morris. Opening with the psychedelic ‘Totally Eclipsing’, the band quickly raised the energy with a triple dose of classics: ‘Let the Good Times Be Never Ending‘, ‘One to Another‘ and ‘Tellin’ Stories‘. Their carefully crafted setlist seamlessly bridged the gap between new material and beloved favourites, proving that Different Days sits comfortably alongside the band’s celebrated back catalogue. The title track was a particular highlight, its groove-laden rhythm and spoken-word outro seamlessly flowing into the explosive ‘Plastic Machinery‘. Throughout, Tim Burgess’ unmistakable vocals and Mark Collins’ electrifying guitar work demonstrated exactly why The Charlatans remain such a formidable live force.

When The Charlatans and James previously shared the stage, James frontman Tim Booth and trumpeter Andy Diagram joined the band for a memorable cover of Echo & The Bunnymen’s ‘Rescue’. This time around, Andy returned to help pay tribute to another Manchester music legend, joining The Charlatans for a heartfelt rendition of Buzzcocks’ ‘Ever Fallen in Love’ in honour of the late Pete Shelley. The surprises continued as Andy left the stage and The Verve’s Nick McCabe appeared to add his unmistakable guitar work to the anthemic pairing of ‘Not Forgotten’ and ‘Sproston Green’. The special guests provided a fitting finale to The Charlatans’ set, sending the crowd into raptures before James took to the stage.

It had been another remarkable year for James, who kicked things off with a seven-date run of intimate UK shows in May, supporting their Better Than That EP ahead of the release of their fifteenth album, Living in Extraordinary Times. A band that needs no introduction, they wasted no time in making their mark, launching straight into the politically charged ‘Hank‘ – a thunderous opener powered by the force of several floor toms, with Tim, Andy, bassist Jim Glennie and multi-instrumentalist Saul Davies all contributing to its relentless energy.

The frantic ‘Picture of This Place’ followed, soundtracking Tim’s first venture into the crowd as he paced along the platform in front of the barrier before returning to the stage for the uplifting ‘Ring the Bells‘. These days, however, Tim isn’t the only member of James known for breaking down the barrier between band and audience. During the breakdown of ‘Sound’, Andy disappeared from the stage before reappearing on the stairs between the seated tiers, continuing to play every note while bringing the performance directly to fans around him. It was another unforgettable reminder – if one was needed – of just how integral Andy and his wandering trumpet antics have become to the magic of a James live show.

Renowned for keeping their live sets unpredictable, James once again rewarded fans with a few unexpected surprises. The entire arena erupted as they brought out the rarely played ‘Sit Down’, before transitioning into the pulsating brilliance of ‘Heads’ from Living in Extraordinary Times. The track provided a perfect showcase for Jim, whose commanding performance drove its relentless bass-line. However, ‘Sit Down’ was far from the only surprise of the evening. The band treated fans to a rare outing of the thrilling yet unreleased 80s track ‘Stutter’, alongside the sublime ‘Don’t Wait That Long’ from Seven. Both moments highlighted the depth of James’ remarkable catalogue, with Andy’s soaring trumpet and Tim’s unmistakable vocals once again taking centre stage.

Highly skilled at crafting a setlist that celebrates both their past and present, James once again found the perfect balance between old favourites and newer material. The stunning ‘Leviathan’ was a particular highlight, with Mark Hunter’s blizzard-like keyboard riff driving the track forward before the band dropped into silence following Tim and Andy’s haunting, hushed vocals – only to explode back into life with a thrilling finale that left the audience mesmerised.

One of the defining qualities of James as a live band is their ability to combine their individual talents and create moments of pure collective euphoria. Their breathtaking performances of ‘Of Monsters and Heroes and Men’ and ‘Out to Get You’ showcased this perfectly, with Saul’s soaring violin adding another layer of emotion and intensity. Throughout the night, Tim’s admiration for his bandmates was impossible to miss, from the awe on his face to the way he instinctively moved with every beat during the improvised section towards the end of ‘Out to Get You’ – completely immersed in the magic unfolding around him.

The purpose of the Better Than That tour was to introduce fans to James’ new material, and while every new addition impressed, the most unforgettable moment for many arrived with the emotive and unifying ‘Many Faces’. A song built for arenas and stadiums, it inspired a huge singalong that felt perfectly suited to a crowd of this size. Placed in the encore, ‘Many Faces’ exceeded expectations as 18,000 fans raised their hands in unison and passionately sang the chorus back to the band. Just when it seemed the night couldn’t get any better, James pulled out ‘Sometimes’ for the final song – receiving an equally overwhelming response. Tim captured the moment by picking up a camera positioned on stage to film the crowd as they sang along to lyrics that have soundtracked fans’ lives since the song’s release in 1993.

When we reviewed the original One Night Only show, we described it as a truly special evening that would not be forgotten in a hurry – and those same words apply here. James and The Charlatans delivered an almighty homecoming celebration, proving that both bands continue to grow stronger with every passing year.