JAMES : FINSBURY PARK FLEADH 6.6.98

Setlist (incomplete) : Tomorrow, Out To Get You, Laid, Sit Down 

Show Info : James were added to the bill as replacement headliners for Simple Minds a month before the show.  Also on the bill below James were The Corrs and The Pogues

Tania Branagan, Melody Maker

And sticking folky fiddle on the tail of "Johnny Yen" won't convince anyone that James are Irish. Or indeed, that they are any good. But (deep breath, confession time) I'm actually quite fond of them. Tim Booth still can't dance. They still use horrible contrived puns ("She knows where to hide / There's nowhere to hide"). They can be clumsy, pompous, embittered and often are. But "Come Home" and the sheer glee of "Laid" warm up the whole rain-tinged, wind-chilled crowd. For all their faults, they've still got the spark; they can still burn and glow.