JAMES : ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 15.6.08

Setlist : Born Of Frustration, Waterfall, Come Home, Whiteboy, Tomorrow, Hey Ma, Upside, Out To Get You, I Wanna Go Home, She's A Star, Sometimes, Laid

NME review

James made their first ever appearance at the Isle Of Wight festival today (June 14), but revealed the island looms large in their tradition.

Taking to the main stage just after 6pm (BST) on the final day of the event, the band sported a hotch potch of costumes from frontman Tim Booth's beenie hat, through suits and ties to even a red woman's dress.

"Thanks mother fuckers, it's great be here," declared the singer. "Let's wake this place up!"

The band then played a set which mixed songs from comeback album 'Hey, Ma' - including the title track which Booth said was about the "foolish response of the British and American governments to 9/11" - with a host of classics including 'Tomorrow', 'Sometimes' and 'Laid', the latter of which saw the band "sneak" fans onstage to dance with them at the end of the show.

Notably 'Sit Down' was absent from the set.

Despite it being the band's first show on the Isle Of Wight Booth earlier revealed the island figured strong in their camp's history.

"Our manager, tour managed The Who here on the first Isle Of Wight festival," he told Virgin Radio "He is in the film of the Isle Of Wight festival shouting at people! But it's our first time."

James played:

'Born Of Frustration'
'Waterfall'
'Come Home'
'Whiteboy'
'Tomorrow'
'Hey, Ma'
'Upside'
'Out To Get You'
'I Wanna Go Home'
'She's A Star'
'Sometimes (Lester Piggott)'
'Laid'

Virgin Radio

“We’re here to connect with music” proclaimed Tim Booth halfway through what was a memorable performance by James at a dull, cloudy, and at times, rainy Sunday at Seaclose Park.

The upbeat sound of “Born Of Frustration” and “Waterfall” followed by “Tomorrow” (which received the biggest cheer of the day so far) got James’ audience up and dancing on their feet straight away.

Mid way through the set, James seemed to have lost the attention of their public as played a few of their down beat songs. But it wasn’t long before the charismatic Tim Booth won them over again with hits like “She’s A Star” and “Sometimes.”

James’ stay at IOW 2008 is finished off superbly by a stage full of festival goers singing along with the band to “Laid.” Excellent!