Is Glasgow ready for the arrival of James’ Love Is The Answer Tour as it rolls into the city? The sold-out OVO Hydro saw crowds queuing well before the doors opened. The show is described by the band as their definitive setlist, though with Tim Booth and James, it’s never the same twice. Fans are eagerly anticipating a night of celebration with the band at the city’s iconic OVO Hydro.
Opening the tour were the outstanding Doves, who set the tone for the evening by energizing the crowd at the venue. Their performance featured an impressive selection of their most beloved songs. Fronted by Jimi Goodwin, the band captivated the OVO Hydro with fan favorites such as Snowden and Kingdom of Rust, before leading the entire venue in a rousing singalong to the anthemic Black and White Town. The set was met with an enthusiastic response, reflecting the Glasgow audience’s appreciation for the band’s talent. Doves concluded their set with a powerful rendition of There Goes The Fear, earning a well-deserved ovation as they left the stage.
The moment had arrived: James, featuring Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Chloe Alper, Debbie Knox-Hewson, and Andy Diagram, were bringing their Love is the Answer tour to the city. The sold-out Glasgow crowd was as eager as ever, ready to welcome them to the stage.
As they took the stage, they kicked off the evening with a vibrant rendition of Tomorrow, during which Tim traversed the entire length of the stage, thrilling the fans gathered at the front. This energy seamlessly flowed into Waltzing Along, a perfect follow-up that set the tone for the rest of the night. Tim then made his way down toward the audience, bridging the distance between the band and the crowd, and further energizing the first few rows as he sang along to the brilliant I Know What I’m Here For.
The big surprise came when the band launched into the brilliant “Say Something,” prompting lead singer Tim Booth to head up to the second level of the venue, much to the delight of the fans gathered there. He walked along the balcony, greeting and dancing with several audience members, creating an electric atmosphere. As the song wound down, Tim turned to the band and asked what the next song was, which turned out to be “She’s a Star.” After finishing, Tim requested that the band play something as he made his way back down to the stage, playfully asking, “Is that the best you can do?” On cue, Adrian Oxaal picked up the violin and delivered the haunting intro to “Five-O,” the extended opening giving Tim just enough time to return to the stage.
It was fantastic to experience Greenpeace deliver such a passionate song, their powerful lyrics resonating throughout the arena. At the end of the song, Chloe perched on the front monitor and sang the intro to their monumental track, “Shadow of a Giant.” The arrangement was slightly altered, but it worked brilliantly, as shown by the enthusiastic fan reaction – especially during the outstanding duet between Tim and Chloe. During the performance, Chloe and Tim moved to the front of the audience, delighting fans and adding an intimate energy to the show.
As the set neared its end, Tim spontaneously decided to change the set list. After asking what the next song was, he launched into the brilliant “Moving On,” instantly igniting the venue as the entire crowd danced and sang along. The atmosphere was electric with the music of James in full force. The band brought the set to a rousing close with the anthemic “Come Home,” followed by “Ring the Bells.” For the finale, the audience’s voices soared as they sang the words to “Getting Away With It” while the band played along. Then, in a stunning moment, Tim leapt into the crowd and surfed halfway up the arena, spotlights tracking him as he led the audience in song. It was an awe-inspiring sight. As the song ended and Tim returned to the stage, the band took their final bow and left to thunderous applause.
As the band returned to the stage, Tim announced, “We’re running out of time,” before launching into the encore with “Sometime,” followed by the crowd-pleaser “Laid.” This marked the end, as the band members gathered at the front and took a collective bow to an electrifying round of applause. It was a special show, with several songs featuring new arrangements that elevated them to another level.
If you have the opportunity to catch James on this tour, don’t miss it – they’re on fire, and you won’t be disappointed. The band returns to Scotland in August for the Belladrum Festival near Inverness.
Review by Karen Edmond
Photographs by James Edmond Photography
