Shooting Our Mouths Off

After the disappointment of having to cancel their Belladrum headline set on Saturday after illness left Tim unable to perform, James resumed their summer schedule on Thursday evening at MEO Monte Verde Festival in the Azores. With Tim recovered in time to take the stage, they opened the festival in a spectacular seafront setting on São Miguel’s north coast, just steps from the black sands of Monte Verde Beach and the Atlantic Ocean.

Despite taking to the stage late, James wasted no time raising the energy, launching straight into ‘Waltzing Along’ before following it with ‘Ring the Bells’. ‘Way Over Your Head’ – the night’s only outing from Yummy – briefly eased the pace, offering a beautifully delicate moment before Tim fearlessly ventured into the crowd for ‘Say Something’ and ‘She’s A Star’, hugging fans and dancing amongst them.

‘Way Over Your Head’ and ‘Five-O’ provided the only real moments of respite in an otherwise relentlessly energetic set. ‘Five-O’ sat neatly between ‘Heads’ and ‘Beautiful Beaches’. Given the beachside location, there was no better place for the latter, which has become a festival favourite that always gets a great reaction.

The sprawling, multi-layered masterpiece that is ‘Sound’ saw Andy head up to the balcony for his soaring trumpet solo before returning to the stage for ‘Nantucket’. Missed at last week’s Isle of Man show, ‘Nantucket’ has otherwise featured at almost every performance this year. Pairing it with ‘Sound’ was an inspired choice. Written more than three decades apart, the two songs share the same adventurous spirit, both unfolding organically without ever feeling overworked. ‘Sound’ remains one of James’ defining live moments, building from quiet intensity into a euphoric release, while ‘Nantucket’ has firmly established itself as a live highlight. Together they showcased everything that makes James such a compelling live band: nine musicians so instinctively connected that even their most ambitious songs feel effortless.

The crowd had been excellent from the opening moments, but somehow found another gear for the unifying ‘Sometimes’, a song that never fails to feel joyous and anthemic. That sense of togetherness felt especially powerful in Portugal, where James have long enjoyed a devoted fanbase and share a particularly special connection with their audience. ‘Tomorrow’ brought the main set to a stirring close.

James know exactly what a festival crowd wants from an encore. By that point, the audience is already buzzing and eager for one last release of energy, and the band delivered in style with ‘Sit Down’, ‘Getting Away With It’, and ‘Laid’. Three undeniable classics, each one prompting huge singalongs and providing the perfect finale to another memorable night.

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