Well well well. At first I typed “and so it all ends”.
The butterflies that existed in me when I first discovered James in the late eighties returned on a Tuesday evening back in January. My mum called and suggested I sit down - unlike my work, there was no pun intended here! This kicked off a couple of hours of checking the information, checking it again and checking it once more. And checking it again. I could not believe that this was happening - James were back. I suppose I had kind of lost hope by about 2004, coming to the conclusion that I definitely would not see them again.
Fast forward to Hoxton. This was a strange old affair. There they were, on stage and it was 2007. I wasn’t dreaming, although I was in some trance-like state. There were hits, there were new songs and some greats that relatively few would have heard before. I found myself with tears rolling down my cheeks during Say Something - not because it is a personal favourite, but because the last time I had seen James perform this live they were opening what I thought was going to be my last gig. Manchester Evening News Arena, 2001. Really Hard, Stripmining…..wow.
Somewhere between a small bar in North London and Birmingham, board t-shirts were suggested. I cant even remember who suggested them, but I do remember putting my hand up and volunteering to crack on. Still, not much more to be said about that, we literally bought the t shirt.
Nambucca. A fellow board member had offered me a spare ticket and I jumped at it. Unfortunately, I had to pull out through being ill on the day. I hope said board member realises how bloody grateful I was and am for the offer! You know who you are and thank you again. I couldn’t wait until Manchester now. Literally. So I bought a ticket on Ebay for Birmingham.
Then came Dublin, Carlisle, Glasgow(s) and Newcastle. I didn’t go to these gigs, however for a few moments each time I felt like I was, with you guys sending me pictures, messages and calling me to hear some tunes. Between us we have joked about ‘rubbing it in’ - we know this isn’t the case, we are simply sharing experiences with others who we know will appreciate it. I certainly did. More tears during Lullaby in Carlisle. Happy tears. Appreciative tears. Again, you all know who you are and once again, thank you.
Birmingham. I have planned to finish work at 3pm. Not going to happen - my boss realises early doors that I will be unbearable long before then so I shoot at 1pm! Quite odd being up there on my own, more so with the man in Scruffy thingys pub who was insistent I tell him where Wesley was. I don’t know anyone called Wesley. Yet, apparently I did and I was always with him. Interesting! Finish one’s beer and move on, Lisa. So, I meet with a few of you and we head in - I spot a couple of WAY t shirts in there! The gig was superb. Absolutely brilliant. Hymn From A Village!! Good choice, boys from The Twang. Too frigging hot in there though!! I thought I’d return a few favours here. On comes Honest Joe - tuuuuune. I know, I’ll ring HonestJoe so he can listen. I do just that. Then a message from HonestJoe: Thanks, what tune was that? Umm, Honest Joe. Heh heh. Classic.
And so arrives Saturday 28th April. Myself and the Manc are packed and planning on the 10am train. I cant get it - I am far too excited. Literally, winding myself up to the point where I had to put a Massive Attack CD on to chill out. Ooops. We arrive in Manchester a little later than planned, but all in good time. To Spoons! We walk in and through the fair few t shirts loitering at the front. Immediately I recognise TopOfTheWorld - introductions complete, bloody shot has been necked and into the pit to say hello! It was fab meeting you everyone. Thank you to everyone who offered to buy me a drink as a ‘thanks very much’ for the t shirts - apologies to the poor souls who timed the offer with me having less than half in my current glass!! Thank you all. The Manc seems to have settled right in, talking to strangers is a hobby of hers anyway. Trying to think who I met in here (some not for the first time but still): Bon, Folklore, Jamesreunited and his mate, Dave, Superkev, Tinyminx, Blademan and ex-Mrs Blademan, Sweezely, Madchester, Topoftheworld and cousin, Tribec, Jayne, Chris815, OldmancheekysodaskingwhyIdidntironthetshirtsaswellKensey, Ness14, Coolmachine, Temis, Takemeanywhere and gig buddy Dave, BasicBrian and probably some more but my memory is bungo! And so to the MEN.
Not really going to say heaps about The Twang, I think I have made my point in other threads about the fact I think they are a-ok. So, here it comes. The show is just beginning. Flags, drums, what the f**k???! Personally I think it works a treat. It adds some pomp and ceremony to James’ coming home - making Manchester that bit different, giving it a little something more, as they always did and do. The crowd are loving it. However, on the left hand side of the stage where I was, it took a while to warm up. A couple of folk next to us had told Manc that they had only ever missed two James gigs in the UK. Wow!!! Odd then that said folk would have blank looks about them during Chainmail, Riders, Who Are You?, Chameleon, Upside. “You going on Monday to the secret gig?”, I ask. “No - what gig is this?”. I explained about the Amazon and XFM competitions and again, blank looks. Ah well, this’ll be the third James Gig In The UK you would have ever missed then. Hate lying!!
Anyway, back on track woman. The set is brilliant, again. The stage is brilliant. The sound is doing good. The boys are back. It’s such a strange set of emotions, indescribable really. Elation, some kind of delirium, wariness, happiness. I am on Top Of the World. Only one band can do this to me. And I am watching them now. They are called James. Personal highlights of this show for me are Upside, Chameleon, Chainmail, Johnny Yen, Out To Get You, Goldmother, How Was It For You and She’ A Star. Wa-ow. I just know I have this perma-grin on my face throughout. A few more tears during Out To Get You, and watching Jim, Larry, Saul and Tim feed off each other during this song was particularly special. I found myself quite lost in that moment. They have an insane ability to draw you into their world, and there I was. It’s a happy world, a unique world Looking back I remember thinking, why did it ever end in 2001? Back to the hotel for a nightcap and some food.
One question: chicken on a Hawaiian?
Sunday is going to be a strange day. Manc is going home and I am most definitely staying. So, Wetherspoons for lunch (and more beer than planned) it is then! Off I go and check into the next hotel. The out for dinner in Chinatown - Paul has now joined us!
One statement (in a Glaswegian accent): I like your toooorrrrrrrp. You had to be there.
Next thing I know it is 4am. Quick shower, off to HMV. We're about 20th in the queue - cant tell who camped out intentionally and who just lives in HMV doorway! It is quite an amusing 4 hours, in a 'I am very tired and still drunk' kinda way
. The massive banner hanging off the front of the building should be mine. I
want it. We spot the fire (the MASSIVE one in case anyone missed the news) about
6ish - and continue to breathe it in for another 3 hours - my only concern being
that they dont close Market Street! Also got to witness a heap of vomit being
cleaned from a bin, which was nice. We're in!! We have wristbands! Too many
wristbands! Right, where do we go for breakfast?! Takemeanywhere didnt live up
to his name, he marched us to a 'great caff' near the station where we all sat
and munched our way through. Takemetoagreasyspoonforbrekky. At this time I am receiving news from home that my Dad has been rushed into hospital and tests are being run. My mum neglects to give me much information, as I am away. Which kind of helped, kind of didnt. The latest being he is being transferred to Cardiff.
Right - 10.20am, must go back to bed and get shut-eye before this afternoon. In the next 4 hours, I spent most of it on the phone with other board members, sorting out wristbands and meeting places for tickets and such. And I pimped out my sofa to a temporarily homeless board member. Probably got about half hour's kip. It's 4pm - to HMV (with a swifty in the pub on the way)!!
We were trapped in the wind tunnel behind HMV for about 20 mins while queuing and then in. It's your usual basement affair. The gig was great, Just Like Fred Astaire. Tim is on form with his banter with one of the overnight queue-goers. The came the signing. Security were adamant it was one item per person. Alright sunshine, you'll still get your stripes. Of course the band did two for me, one for a certain t shirt designer. Goldmother and I handed over the t shirts with an explanation, and managed not to make oursleves look like fools! The band were really chuffed, fair play. Jim and Tim more so, couldnt thank us enough. Saul obviously didnt get it as he signed his and gave it back. I explained it was his and he laughed, bless. At least it has his name on now! He did mention it would be too big, I just thought "dont you bloody start"! Lovely to meet the band. Grateful my first words were 'welcome back' and not a whole lot of incoherence.
To the Academy! This was interesting. The whole meeting people to hand over tickets etc! So, GM has my ticket. I have Paul's, Gig Buddy Dave's and Gregorystown's mate. Paul has given takemeanywhere 3. Confusion indeed! And that hard-faced madame on the desk didnt help either - why make us wait til 8 when the tickets are in front of you?! Then hand out tickets for some gig last year saying 'they will get you in' - triffic, thanks love! What about the mass of James ones next to you? A bit of waiting about and we're in. In the mean time I meet Volumedistorted, Minimadmatt, Simonutd and probably some more tht I forget!
I have to say at this point, that when looking around and recognising folk from Saturday, it's like saying hi to old friends, that is genuinely how comfortable and completely normal it all seemed!
The gig. Possibly the best set ever? Chainmail - ace. Top Of The World - ace. Dont Wait That Long - stunning. Upside - my thoughts and feelings about this song elevate with every next listen. It has 'classic' written all over it. I tend to find James songs grab you by the balls, so-to-speak. This song just leaps inside and makes it's way from head to heart and back again. I absolutely adore this song. Cant say much more than that. It isnt the first James number to do this, but it is the first that managed it on the first listen. Beautiful.
Enough people have written enough reviews on gigs and setlists so I shall leave that there. Apologies for going on a bit folks - I am a Trainer, paid to talk. Just be glad I didnt put together a PowerPoint presentation with accompanying handouts.
So, in summary, I have had possibly one of the best weekends of my life. The best weekend of my life? In fact yes, until the next tour. I have been completely overwhelmed by the little community that we seem to have here. Like I have said, it did not feel for a second like I was spending the weekend with strangers - just a gang of like-minded James fans who have been friends for years. I am sure we will be: someone has already mentioned the friendships that have formed on this tour will last a lifetime. That is down to us to keep up. I will, for sure.
I also have to thank a gang of six gents. Whose music has accompanied me for the last 17 years and will continue to do so. As I said at HMV, welcome back.
Ok, so I was going to start this with "and so it all ends", but didn't. I will, however, end it with
"and so the new beginning starts".
Lisa x