No way I'm watching James

[5times]

Despite an urge to go to get in the car and head on down the M62, it's only thirty-nine miles and forty-five minutes to Manchester, and that's my.....(see what I did there?) for tonight's gig I still refuse to go on principal because I refuse to watch legends Echo and the Bunnymen support boring, bloody James. Not a chance.

[Dr Cheese]

I refuse to watch the Bunnymen on the principal that the gigs haven't changed for the last 10 years.

[5times]

no reports yet....they must all be watching James...

[Crystal Days]

Mac is noticeably better. Back in December I said that they were properly back on form. No more droning on between songs, speaking and singing clearly. He, and the band were fantastic and the large crowd were lapping it up. We even got Back Of Love as an encore.

James were really good, surpringly.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6yKnM-zANI[/youtube]

[Voodoo Billy]

Stayed to the very (more or less) end, purely for research purposes of course. Managed to get there just in time for the stated start time of 7.15 but needn't have worried as the band weren't on until around 7.40. They were in top, top form, Will and the band were magnificent and Mac in great voice and fine mood. Lips, Rescue, Rust, Seas, NLF, Killing Moon, Do it Clean, Zimbo, Horses, Never Stop, Cutter (these aren't in order) and Back of Love encore. Highlights were Do it Clean, Never Stop and a thumping Cutter. What a band!

And then the support band, strange they were onstage last. First time I've ever watched a headline band that I haven't gone there to see. Never been much of a fan, although I have the 'best of' thing and knew a good few of the singles. Most of the crowd seemed happy with their lot, including a builder-type near us who showed us all his ample waist as he changed his t-shirt to the James one he'd just bought, unfortunately he appeared to have learned how to clap that very afternoon and decided to share his new talent with us by standing up and clapping along to those songs he liked best (thankfully only about half!). And James, well they're not great are they, the best known songs (Laid, Sit Down, Come Home and suchlike - see, I've done my research) got a great reception though the lesser known and possibly new ones (one or two seemed to take 'This is our next single' to mean 'Good time to pop out for a piss'). I swear there was a song called something like, 'I Feel Like Fred Astaire', strange considering Astaire was a man noted for his dancing ability and Mister Booth can't dance to save his life, unless you count all that sodding shaking about.

Great to see the Bunnymen playing such a large venue again, unfortunate that they had to support James to do so, and I could have listened to them all night in that form. That performance was up with their very best, shame that the two hour support band that followed were not in the same league.

[meh]

if it's a bunny show they are slagged off for the setlist, if it is another band's support the same setlist is great.

[smokeandsteam]

I think people are commenting on the return to form of Mac and the fact that the band as a whole are on top form rather than the setlist (which remains depressingly samey but the sensible course of action when playing to another bands fans)

[Voodoo Billy]

I think people are commenting on the return to form of Mac and the fact that the band as a whole are on top form rather than the setlist (which remains depressingly samey but the sensible course of action when playing to another bands fans)

Good point, the place wasn't exactly bouncing when James played their lesser known songs to a crowd of what were predominantly their own fans so the Bunnymen weren't going to get much of a reception if they gave them Clay and Simple Stuff.

[Dave Smith]

Bunnymen always sound fantastic in big venues.Pity they don't always get to play through such quality PA's

[Voodoo Billy]

Bunnymen always sound fantastic in big venues.Pity they don't always get to play through such quality PA's

You're right Dave, it just suits that big noise.

[Wabbit]

Mac is noticeably better. Back in December I said that they were properly back on form. No more droning on between songs, speaking and singing clearly. He, and the band were fantastic and the large crowd were lapping it up. We even got Back Of Love as an encore.

James were really good, surpringly.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6yKnM-zANI[/youtube]

That performance was brilliant!
Shaz

[Dave Smith]

Fucking class

[5times]

I wish you'd all shut up about this brilliant performance ! I'm starting to regret not going now.

[Voodoo Billy]

I wish you'd all shut up about this brilliant performance ! I'm starting to regret not going now.

You'd have loved it, that Cutter alone was worth the £40 odd quid entry fee.

[meh]

I think people are commenting on the return to form of Mac and the fact that the band as a whole are on top form rather than the setlist (which remains depressingly samey but the sensible course of action when playing to another bands fans)

i was being facetious. would it have killed them to play their 'new album out this year' though? i'd pay to hear that, though £40 seems rather steep