Shooting Our Mouths Off

When it comes to a band as established as James, there are few venues in the UK they haven’t already played – especially arenas – making it all the more surprising that Tuesday marked their first-ever performance at Nottingham Arena.

One of the more intimate VIP soundchecks of the tour, it featured the band performing ‘Way Over Your Head’. Referencing David Byrne’s iconic Talking Heads lyric – “say something once, why say it again” – Tim joked that it’s a tricky song for audiences to sing along to, given his habit of constantly changing the lyrics. He even suggested, tongue firmly in cheek, that they should display the words on-screen in the cheesiest way possible. The other tracks performed were ‘Better With You’ and ‘Top of the World’.

Even by its usual high standard, the Q&A segment stood out at this stop. When asked which band member would go to the moon, Tim said he’d volunteer – though not alongside Elon Musk or Katy Perry. After someone pointed out that Katy Perry had promoted an album while in space, Jim quipped that she should have left it up there. Another question touched on the band’s upcoming documentary, with fans curious about who might portray them in a film adaptation. Tim was the only one with a definitive answer, choosing Timothée Chalamet. Jim mentioned he’s often told he resembles David Tennant, while Saul recalled being mistaken for Paul McGann back in the ’90s. Chloe, meanwhile, made a failed attempt to slip off to the back of the stage – only for Jim to intervene and cast her as Audrey Hepburn.

Much like Cardiff, Nottingham fell not only on a weeknight, but early in the week – so there was every chance the band might ease into things again. And they did, opening this time with ‘Out to Get You’. Fragile and deeply emotive, the track highlighted Saul’s brilliance on violin alongside Mark’s subtle, atmospheric work on melodica. From there, momentum steadily built. ‘Waltzing Along’, ‘I Know What I’m Here For’, and ‘Come Home’ followed in quick succession, each raising the energy another notch before the pace dropped again for ‘Greenpeace’. There’s a lot to unpack in ‘Greenpeace’. Not only is the Whiplash track accompanied by striking visuals – lights and lasers weaving in and out with the tempo – it also perfectly showcases the dynamic between Tim and Chloe. Their vocals both contrast and compliment one another: Tim carrying the verses with restraint, before Chloe surges into the chorus with power. It’s a pairing that feels effortlessly balanced, and one of the standout moments of the set.

The band carried the mood of ‘Greenpeace’ straight into ‘Attention’ – a brooding slice of electro-pop that once again puts the spotlight on Mark, as he deftly balances shimmering synths with delicate piano. Keeping the pacing tight, they moved into ‘Say Something’ and ‘Born of Frustration’, both of which saw Tim step offstage to deliver his vocals from within the crowd, strengthening that connection with the audience. He then returned for ‘Five-O’ – though there was no rush, thanks to its extended intro, with Saul tearing into his violin as if the world were on the brink of collapse. He played with such intensity, in fact, that he snapped a string on his bow – a moment as chaotic as it was impressive.

‘Zero’ followed, carrying over the same soaring energy from the Cardiff show the night before, where it had already made an impact. The two Yummy offerings of the evening – ‘Shadow of a Giant’ and ‘Way Over Your Head’ – sat side by side, bringing both Tim and Chloe down to the barrier. As Chloe clasped hands with fans and danced along the walkway, it was hard not to reflect on how much her stage presence has grown since she joined the band. Her vocals have always been flawless, but this ease – the movement, the connection with the crowd – hasn’t always been as pronounced. Seeing her so comfortable, so clearly enjoying herself, added something special; it felt like she was experiencing the moment right alongside the audience.

‘Beautiful Beaches’ was a surprise addition to the setlist, making its debut performance on this tour. Sounding as anthemic as ever, its epic drum battle between Debbie and Dave featured an exciting new section that elevated the moment even further. After a soaring rendition of ‘Tomorrow’, where Tim’s voice carried such emotion that it felt intimate despite the vastness of the space, and the piano-led ‘Sit Down’, the main set drew to a close with ‘Sound’. Andy delivered his trumpet solo from the seats, while Tim looked on, clearly energised and invigorated by the confidence and talent of his bandmate.

‘Nantucket’ opened the encore again, with Tim acknowledging it as a risky move – but a very James one – while warning that anyone heading to the bar or toilets would miss something special. He wasn’t wrong. The cinematic track unfolded into a real spectacle: bass-heavy, immersive, and drawing plenty of movement from the crowd. Its unconventional yet inspired wordless chorus somehow felt just as singalong-worthy as any of their classics. With the audience fully locked in from the opening riff, ‘Getting Away With It’ followed, before the night came to a close with ‘Laid’.