James

James are Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Saul Davies, Adrian Oxaal, David Baynton-Power, Mark Hunter, Andy Diagram, Chloe Alper, Deborah Knox-Hewson.

The band formed in Manchester in the early ’80s. They quickly earned a cult following with their jangly folk pop sound. The band was dubbed the next Smiths. Even getting a thumbs up from frontman Morrissey who invited them to join The Smiths on tour. James scored their first big hit in 1991 with the single Sit Down. They built on that success further with their critically acclaimed album Laid, produced by Brian Eno. The album became their biggest success in the US.

One of Britain’s most enduring success stories, James have released 16 studio albums. Selling over 25 million copies with their recent run of Top 5 albums proving to be a golden era for the band. All The Colours Of You, released in 2021, was their most critically acclaimed in many years. Preceded by Living In Extraordinary Times and Girl At The End Of The World which only narrowly missed out on the top spot in 2016 to Adele.

To coincide with 40 years since their first show as James (The Hacienda, supporting Big Country – 17 Nov 1982) the band announced the James Lasted tour and a new double album, both accompanied by an orchestra and gospel choir.

In September 2023 James revealed their new studio album would be released in April 2024. They announced a UK arena tour for June featuring special guests Razorlight.

Comprehensive and career-spanning collection

In 2025, James announced Nothing But Love – The Definitive Best Of. The release is a comprehensive and career-spanning collection, documenting the band’s journey from their early singles through to fan favourites and special selections made by the band themselves. Nothing But Love will also include two new tracks, ‘Wake Up Superman’ and ‘Hallelujah Anyhow’, produced by Leo Abrahams who worked with the band on their No.1 album Yummy in 2024.

At the same time, James announced their biggest ever arena tour for 2026. The tour dates include Birmingham Utilita Arena, Leeds First Direct Bank Arena, Glasgow OVO Hydro, Liverpool M&S Bank Arena and The O2 in London, culminating at the 20,000 capacity Co-op Live in Manchester. Throughout the tour, the Manchester mainstays will be joined by Doves in support.