After an unforgettable show at Co-op Live in 2024, it felt only fitting that James brought their Love Is the Answer tour to a close there. With over 23,000 fans singing their hearts out, it was truly the homecoming of all homecomings.

On their last arena tour, the band closed with a triumphant performance at London’s O2 Arena. This time, they return to the iconic venue for the penultimate show of the tour.

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.

For the Welsh leg of the tour, the band returned to Cardiff’s Utilita Arena – the smallest venue on this run, with a capacity of 7,500. Their previous show in the city, a stunning night at Cardiff Castle, set a high bar, meaning that expectations were understandably high.

In the North West, you usually get a choice: Manchester or Liverpool – rarely both. But James, true stars of the region, decided to do both, making it even more special for their local fans. In Liverpool, they returned to the M&S Bank Arena, a stage they hadn’t graced since 2016.

Although they’ve performed elsewhere in the North East, it’s been a couple of years since the band last played Newcastle – and judging by the crowd’s reaction on Friday night, they’ve been sorely missed.

James have had several career-defining moments in Glasgow. In 2022, they paid tribute to one of them by heading to the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh to perform a setlist inspired by their iconic 1998 show at the Barrowlands. On this tour, they performed at the larger venue of the OVO Hydro.

Scotland has always been a stronghold for the band, and this tour includes two shows there, including one at P&J Live in Aberdeen.

For the Yorkshire date of the tour, the band played in Leeds. Closest to a homecoming for Tim, the show took place at the First Direct Arena – an arena the band always relish performing in – which they have now graced six times.