Shooting Our Mouths Off

In April 2011, James made their first-ever visit to Chile, performing at the debut edition of Lollapalooza Chile at Santiago’s Parque O’Higgins. It was a milestone moment for the band, as they brought their iconic sound to Chilean fans for the very first time. They returned the following year to play a show at Teatro Caupolicán, a historic theatre in Santiago’s city centre and one of Chile’s most longstanding venues for large-scale performances.

On their current tour, James took to the BCI Stage in the penultimate slot on the opening day of Fauna Primavera, an annual outdoor music festival held over two days at Parque Ciudad Empresarial in Huechuraba. Known for its lively atmosphere and eclectic lineup, the festival brings together a dynamic mix of rock, indie, electronic, and emerging artists. Much like California’s Ohana Fest, where the band performed in September, Fauna Primavera features two main stages, allowing for smooth changeovers and a continuous flow of live music.

We’d become accustomed to the band playing the entirety Laid each night, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect from the first setlist of the tour. One thing, however, seemed certain – it probably wouldn’t be an especially experimental show. There were two good reasons for that: it was their first performance in a month, and the first since Debbie went on maternity leave, with a new drummer stepping in. That drummer is Hannah Feenstra – no stranger to James, as she previously filled in for Debbie in 2023. It’s fantastic to see her back behind the kit!

The band opened with ‘Five-O’ before launching into three of their biggest hits – ‘Come Home’, ‘Born of Frustration’, and ‘Sometimes’. The latter soundtracked Tim’s first trip to the barrier, where he stayed for ‘Born of Frustration’, blurring the line between stage and audience in that instinctive, fearless way he has. Just four songs in, the placement of ‘Sometimes’ comes as a surprise. A guaranteed crowd-pleaser, it’s usually saved for the end of the set and often serves as the closer.

Two songs from Yummy made it into the set – ‘Way Over Your Head‘ and ‘Shadow of a Giant’. Both among the album’s more downtempo tracks, they’ve shone brightly in a live setting since the album’s release and quickly become fan favourites. ‘Way Over Your Head‘ tugs at the heartstrings with its relatable lyrics and always gets the crowd singing along to the outro, while ‘Shadow of a Giant’ highlights the band’s collective musicianship, from Saul’s soaring violin to Adrian’s emotive cello, coming together to create something truly beautiful.

‘Heads’ continues to stand strong in the set, having been played sixteen times during the North American tour. With its pummeling beat, shouty vocals, and politically charged message, the track feels more relevant than ever given the current situation in America, and the band have long been on the right side of history. In a striking contrast, it was placed alongside the delicate ‘Out to Get You’, with Tim’s emotive vocals, Chloe’s gorgeous harmonies, and Mark’s haunting melodica, creating a powerful juxtaposition that showcased the band’s dynamic range.

As they headed towards the end of the set, the band kept the energy levels high with ‘Sit Down’ and ‘Beautiful Beaches’. During the latter, Tim clearly felt safe and supported by the crowd as he launched himself into a rare moment of crowd surfing – something he only did once during the entire North American tour, making it a particularly special sight. They then surprised the audience with a slight dip for the atmospheric ‘Sound’ – a track that always allows Andy’s trumpet to soar. Of course, they saved one of the best for last: ‘Laid’. The iconic opening chords ignite audiences all over the world instantly, making it the perfect choice for the band to close the night on a euphoric, unforgettable high.