Shooting Our Mouths Off

With the Detroit show being live-streamed, it deserved a full review rather than just a brief summary like the other stops on the tour. Held at the iconic Majestic Theatre, this performance marked the band’s debut at the venue.

The band eased into the set with ‘One of the Three’ – a fan favourite that until this run of dates, hadn’t been played live since the 2016 Girl at the End of the World tour. Performed in a lower key, likely to suit Tim’s evolving vocal range, the new arrangement feels fresh and emotionally rich. Chloe takes on the higher harmonies with ease, while Adrian’s layered guitar adds depth to the extended intro. The atmospheric ‘Dream Thrum‘ followed, casting a reflective mood before the tempo lifted with the night’s first single, ‘Say Something‘. Tim made a direct line for the barrier, fully embracing the venue’s intimacy as he connected with the crowd, turning the moment into something both personal and electric.

Usually held back for the latter part of the set – and often used as a powerful closer – ‘Sound‘ arrived earlier than expected. Celebrated for its fluid, improvisational nature, the song can stretch from a tight five minutes to an expansive ten or more. In Detroit, the band embraced the extended format, letting the music breathe and unfold naturally, with the highlight coming as Andy stepped onto the balcony to deliver a breathtaking trumpet solo that soared above the crowd. Next up was ‘Lullaby’ – beginning with gentle acoustic guitar before Mark’s delicate piano gently emerged. Performed stripped-down by just Tim, Jim, Adrian, and Mark, the poignant track took on a new depth and intensity, making the moment feel more intimate and powerful than ever before.

The bass-driven ‘Everybody Knows‘ made such a strong impression, it’s hard to believe it only received its live debut on the tour. ‘Five-O’, on the other hand, remains a powerful staple in the band’s setlist – and for good reason. Not only does it showcase the individual talents of each member, but it also highlights their tight-knit chemistry, especially between Jim and Saul, the latter on violin. Facing off with such ferocity, their interplay feels like the world is on the brink of collapse. This performance was even more intense and atmospheric than before, with the backing vocals in the chorus coming through louder and more prominently, adding to the song’s raw energy.

After a false start caused by Saul’s guitar being out of tune, the band launched into ‘Interrogation’, its tension-building pulse driven forward by a trumpet line that lifted the already emotional melody. One of the most remarkable things about James is their boundless creativity – they can play a song a hundred times and still make each performance feel unique. In Detroit, a standout moment was Andy’s quirky effects toward the end, adding a fresh and playful twist to the La Petite Mort track. The captivating ‘Born of Frustration’ followed, with Tim embracing the song’s playful energy as he ventured into the crowd, singing and dancing alongside fans, his signature vocalisations remaining as powerful and electrifying as they were when the track was first released. Eventually, he climbed atop the bar, a bold reminder that he is, without a doubt, the ultimate showman.

As Tim made his way back to the stage, he asked the band what song was next. When Jim shouted ‘Low Low Low’, Saul responded with a dry, sarcastic grin: “From the sublime to the ridiculous.” Long rumoured to be one of the band’s less-loved tracks on Laid, its upbeat, almost cheeky tone stands in stark contrast to the rest of the albums introspective atmosphere. But on this night, it shone – buoyed by a triumphant trumpet intro and joyful flourishes throughout, it sounded fantastic and, looked like a blast for both the band to play and the audience to experience. Maintaining the upbeat tempo, ‘Getting Away With It‘ came next, bringing an energetic close to set two and leaving the crowd on a definite high.

The band have never been ones for predictability, which makes the frequent use of ‘Skindiving‘ to open the second set a testament to just how well it works in that role. It’s a standout moment for Chloe, who delivers the haunting falsetto solo with stunning control, stepping into the song’s delicate emotional space with confidence. It also offers a rare glimpse of Dave’s versatility, as he steps away from the drum kit to join Jim on bass. ‘Knuckle Too Far‘ followed, continuing the quiet, introspective mood with its subtle intensity.

This tour has marked the return of ‘Oh My Heart‘ from the Hey Ma album, and it was met with a huge reaction – especially as Tim ventured offstage, performing directly to fans on the front row. Anthemic from the outset, the track surged forward on infectious guitar lines and rolling drums, with Tim’s vocals amplifying both its emotional weight and the raw vulnerability woven into the lyrics. No tracks from the band’s number one album Yummy featured in set one, but they more than made up for it in set two with the dynamic double punch of the deeply empathetic tracks ‘Stay‘ and ‘Way Over Your Head‘ – both soaring just as high as the band’s longtime classics.

‘Beautiful Beaches’ is another track that’s placement surprised. Always culminating in a surge of energy from both the band and crowd, it’s often the first song of the encore. Inspired by the heartbreaking plight of families fleeing Californian wildfires, the song takes on a life of its own live, pulsing with urgent intensity that builds into a soaring crescendo after Chloe delivers a soulful, gospel-inspired spoken word segment. At that moment, Dave and Debbie ignited an electrifying drum duel – made all the more remarkable by the fact that Debbie is six months pregnant. Truly, a rock and roll powerhouse in every sense. ‘Heads‘ sustained that rapturous energy, bursting forth with pounding drums and raw, almost shouted vocals. As a sharp commentary on the current turmoil in America, playing it throughout their North American tour is a bold statement – but then again, the band have never been one to shy away from fear.

‘Shadow of a Giant‘ was the third and final Yummy track of the night, with Tim seated on the drum riser as Chloe took centre stage. The spotlight illuminated her vocals, which have profoundly enriched the band’s sound since her arrival. Following that, ‘PS‘ unfolded with a restrained, mellow drum pattern and a gentle guitar intro that gradually built in intensity before Tim’s vocals emerged, quickly establishing itself as a highlight of the night. The performance showcased Adrian’s exceptional guitar work alongside Saul’s beautifully expressive violin. Closing this low-key trio, ‘Tomorrow‘ maintained the gentle guitar as the band began slowly, allowing the hopeful song to steadily build toward a moving moment of unification.

‘Sometimes’ served as the penultimate track of the main set – a euphoric anthem the band clearly delights in performing live. One of the night’s most touching moments came when Tim knelt down to sing to Debbie’s baby bump, bringing the biggest smiles and a heartfelt connection to the performance. The energy was contagious as the crowd enthusiastically joined in to sing the soaring outro, with Tim encouraging everyone to share their beautifully shy voices. This was seamlessly followed by a boisterous, high-energy rendition of ‘Laid’, a fan favourite that never fails to ignite the room. Both tracks stand out as highlights of the band’s North American shows, consistently earning some of the most passionate responses from the audience.

The band returned to the stage with ‘Sit Down‘, kicked off by a thunderous drumbeat that reignited the crowd. Tim made his way into the audience one last time, seeking a fan to hold him up. As the song came to a close, he returned to the stage for a truly moving moment – the band standing together, looking out in awe and gratitude as the entire crowd sang along. After opening the night on a gentle note, the band closed with ‘Out to Get You‘ – a song that begins like a whisper before rising into a storm of emotion. Saul’s restless violin danced with Dave’s tumbling drums, creating a swirl of sound that felt both chaotic and deeply connected. It was a closing moment that felt raw, real, and entirely James.

Featuring swapped vocals, deep cuts, and unforgettable choruses, this tour captures James at their most human and compelling. Every performance is filled with raw emotion and musical mastery, demonstrating why the band continues to connect so deeply with fans old and new. If you weren’t able to catch the live show or haven’t yet experienced the band’s Detroit performance, you can still join the celebration by purchasing a livestream pass at nugs.net/james. The recording will be available to watch until 25th September 2025 – don’t miss your chance to witness one of the tour’s standout nights.