James Manchester 'Love Is The Answer' Tour Review: A Triumphant Homecoming
There was only one place to be in Manchester last night: James' sell-out 'Love Is The Answer' show at the Co-op Live arena. The iconic Northern band's homecoming gig was a shoulder-shaking infusion of pure joy, an intravenous drip of delight injected into the veins of all 23,500 attendees.
A Joyful Start to the Evening
From the moment the band took the stage, with grey beanie-clad lead singer Tim Booth dancing as if possessed by the spirit of 1989, it was unclear who was having more fun—the audience or the performers themselves. Booth kicked off proceedings with "I Know What I'm Here For," followed by Five-O and Waltzing Along, before launching into their biggest hit, Sit Down. The crowd responded in kind, transforming the arena into a massive, celebratory party.
Crowd Surfing and Setlist Surprises
One of the most brilliant rock legends surrounding James is that Bradford-born Tim Booth is reportedly the only person in the UK insured to crowd surf. True to form, he executed two swan dives into the audience, with gentle hands ensuring his policy remained unclaimed. "That's it, that's the end of our show," he joked afterwards, but luckily for fans, it was far from over.
James is known for not playing it safe, and they lived up to that reputation by changing up their setlist nightly. They mixed old favourites with new tracks, omitting some classics at will and keeping the order fresh to keep everyone on their toes. Songs like Say Something and Come Home mingled seamlessly with Born of Frustration and Shadow Of A Giant.
Political Moments and Personal Touches
The night included some political commentary, notably during Head, where Booth addressed "the United States and its inherent racism and war mongering," drawing boos from the crowd. Formed in Manchester in 1982, James has sold over 25 million records worldwide, and their latest single, Nantucket, featured in the encore, cementing 2026 as another triumphant year for the anthemic indie-pop group.
If the energy in the room could be bottled, it would sell for a fortune. There was a real sense of inclusion throughout the evening. Booth sang part of the set from the arena's accessible platform, shaking hands and sharing hugs with fans. Meanwhile, drummer Debbie had her three-month-old baby backstage, and trumpet player Andy Diagram stole the show in a floral skirt and a 'no more war' t-shirt.
A Memorable Finale
As the show closed with Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) and Laid, it marked the end of one of the best 120 minutes in recent memory. So, what did we learn? James is a band like no other, crowd surfing into the history books and bridging the gap between nostalgia and freshness. Above all, we were reminded to dance like no one is watching more often.
