REVIEW: James – O2 Academy Bournemouth (31/03/2026)

Just a few days after Bristol, the band brought the Love is the Answer warm-up tour to Bournemouth, continuing the momentum from their first UK show of the year. From the very first note, it was clear the band were on fire – playing with the energy and cohesion of a group that have been on tour for months.

Already in unpredictable form, the band kicked things off with ‘What For’ – its first outing since 2023 – which instantly lifted the room. That momentum flowed into ‘Ring the Bells’, but it was the unexpected return of ‘Lost a Friend’, not played since 2017, that truly caught people off guard. Anchored by Jim’s steady groove, the Whiplash track begins with a sparse, deliberate rhythm before the full band bursts in – a moment that hit even harder live, now that they’ve evolved into a tightly unified force.

The set eased into something more atmospheric with ‘Greenpeace’, one of the band’s most experimental moments. The addition of Chloe and Debbie has taken that even further, the dual percussion and Chloe’s falsetto – beautifully interwoven with Tim’s vocals – adding new texture to the track. Without breaking that mood, Chloe then took a seat for the haunting introduction to ‘Shadow of a Giant’.

Few songs are as anthemic as ‘Sometimes’, and most bands would save it for an encore – but James performed it mid-set, and it soared. Debbie swapped drums for acoustic guitar while Tim took to the walkway to sing to the crowd. Energised by the performance, the band played new song ‘Nantucket’ for just the fourth time. Still developing, the layered track showcased the band’s full range: Mark’s keys, Jim’s bass-line, Adrian’s cello, and Saul’s fluid violin-to-guitar work.

Keeping things fresh, the band launched into their latest single, ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’. Rather than performing the full-band version from Bristol, they went in the opposite direction – stripping it back to just Tim, Chloe, Mark, Jim, and Saul. With Dave and Debbie absent, Saul stepped in on the kick drum midway, driving the song toward its soaring climax. Then Tim exited the stage, leaving Chloe in the spotlight to deliver the ‘Skindiving’ vocals solo. A standout moment on the band’s North American Laid tour, it perfectly showcases the unique energy and depth she brings to the nine-piece lineup.

Tim didn’t return to the stage immediately, but his voice guided the band as they kicked off ‘She’s a Star’. He performed the entire song from the first tier of the picturesque venue, weaving through lucky fans who eagerly danced alongside him. When he finally returned to the stage, he amplified the intimate connection he thrives on – climbing down to the barrier during ‘Just Like Fred Astaire’, standing atop it with the support of a fan, and singing directly to the crowd.

Just when it seemed the band might ease off, they kept the momentum soaring with a brand-new track, ‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’. Driven by a catchy beat, an irresistible chorus, and Saul’s funky guitar riffs, it has single written all over it – even in an era where singles matter less, especially for a band like James, whose album tracks often shine brighter. The band’s delight on stage was infectious, leaving the audience buzzing with anticipation for their next chapter.

‘Way Over Your Head‘ slowed the pace, with Tim and Chloe facing each other during its gospel-tinged intro, hands clasped to amplify the song’s reflective intimacy. Then came ‘Five-O’, a showcase of the band’s improvisational prowess. Saul moved to the front of the stage to deliver a violin intro twice as long as usual – what Tim later revealed was a first – playing with such ferocious intensity that you could almost see smoke rising from the strings.

‘Born of Frustration’ elicited a huge reaction, perfectly matching its playful energy. The crowd went wild, joining in on Tim’s signature vocalisations, while Chloe danced joyfully around the stage with a tambourine and Andy’s trumpet soared, adding a glorious edge that lifted the arrangement to euphoric heights. As the main set drew to a close, the band launched into their unofficial anthem, ‘Getting Away With It,’ prompting a full-throttle singalong that transformed the venue into one unified chorus.

Saul kicked off the encore with the instantly recognisable, tender guitar opening of ‘Tomorrow’. Over the past year, the hopeful anthem has soared in live performances, which is a testament to the band’s seamless synergy. From Saul and Jim’s electrifying guitar-and-bass interplay, to Andy’s melodic trumpet lines, to Tim’s commanding vocals brimming with emotion, every element came together to create a moment that was both powerful and uplifting.

One of the many remarkable things about James is that even a song you’ve heard a million times can still catch you off guard. They closed with ‘Sit Down’, beginning with a false start that shifted the lead from Dave’s drums to Mark’s keyboard. The result was a more delicate, intimate, and deeply affecting version. As the song drew to a close and the band looked out in awe at the crowd still singing along, it was clear that this is a band fully ready for the arena stage.