News

Very sorry to report that the box set release has had to be pushed back slightly due to ongoing problems with the USB element.  As soon as we have a definite date we’ll let you know, but at this point we can confirm it won’t be out before November.

Update 1 Nov: Barring any further unanticipated problems, The Gathering Sound should be out in early December.

Free acoustic performance at the Ξαρχάκος cafe bar opposite Thessaloniki’s White Tower at 7pm TONIGHT – spread the word!

Also please note change of venue for tomorrow’s show, which will now take place at ΙΒΑΝΩΦΕΙΟ.

Due to popular demand, the band have decided to make the choir seats available for the previously sold out  Bridgewater Hall and Royal Albert Hall dates on the upcoming tour.

Choir seats are located at the rear of the stage and offer a unique way to experience the show – up close and personal, and essentially from the band’s perspective.  These tickets are quite limited in number and will go on sale tomorrow morning at 9am via gigsandtours.com and the venue box offices priced at £35.

If you’re curious about what’s in store, you can now watch our exclusive live video of Top Of The World from the first rehearsal workshop, which took place at Salford University last year and features the Manchester Consort Orchestra along with Tim, Jim, and Larry, with Joe Duddell at the helm.  Please note this is not Orchestra of the Swan, who will be touring with the band, but you’ll get the drift…  Larry has written a little intro on the forum which you can read here.

Special thanks to Ali Hudson, Paul Nicholson, Stephen Fildes and Matt Tidmarsh for the marvellous video.

Championes, championes, olé olé olé!  Jim Glennie was named “Best In Class” by Mary Anne Hobbs on Xfm tonight, following a one-day poll of listeners’ favourite bass players.

He managed to see off competition from scores of high profile bands and household names, including Nicky Sixx, Flea, Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth, Lemmy, Colin Greenwood from Radiohead, Sting, the Foo Fighters’ Nate Mendel, Les Claypool, John Entwistle, fellow Mancunian Mani from the Stone Roses, and even his own personal bass-hero Hooky.

The result of the face-off, in which Xfm aim to name the very greatest exponents of every aspect of music, was announced live on air during the Music: Response show shortly before 11pm, and was accompanied by a track to showcase his skills (though it has to be said their choice of Sit Down was a little unimaginative – we would have gone for Jam J, Out To Get You, or even newbie Rabbit Hole ourselves, but I suspect they were caught unawares so we’ll let them off).

A big thank-you to “the James army on Facebook” as Mary Anne affectionately described the legion of loyal and discerning supporters who cast their vote today, carrying rock’s most underrated underdog to a well deserved victory.

The band are planning a rare trip to Turkey next month for a headline show at Refresh the Venue in Istanbul, as part of Avea’s Escape to Music concept.

Tickets are on sale now and available from biletix.com priced at 35 euro, and you can access the site in English here.

For more information please visit the venue’s website.

Today’s Album of the Day on the excellent BBC 6 Music is Laid.  Tracks from the album will be featured on programs throughout the day, so do tune in.

The album has also been given a fresh review on their site by Ian Wade for the occasion.

“James’ masterpiece from 1993 marked the beginning of their work with Brian Eno.

By the time of this fifth album, Radio 1 was holding James Days and the band had graduated to football ground-sized shows, while stateside they were supporting the likes of Neil Young.

Another sign of their status the arrival of Brian Eno as producer — Laid is the first of several collaborations between man and band. His presence was made perfectly clear when James’ sixth album, Wah Wah, collected textural and ambient pieces and improvisational jams from the Laid sessions.

But this set was one of solid songwriting, showcasing James at their finest, relaxing into their own skins.”

You can read (and comment on) the full review here, and listen live to 6 Music via their homepage.

The band will have a full weekend of festival performances in Portugal later this month, with a headline slot at Feira de São Mateus now confirmed for Saturday 20th August, in between the Cascais and Funchal appearances.

Tickets are on sale now from the venue box office – it is a council-sponsored event so the price is a rather reasonable 5 €…!

After a long absence, the band will finally return to Spain this October to headline FIZ 2011 – Festival de Música Independiente de Zaragoza.

Fiz is an intimate festival with a capacity of just 5000, which will be held at Auditorio de Zaragoza on 1st October.  James will be on stage around midnight.

Tickets are on sale now, please see the live page for ticketing links.

The new date for Thessaloniki has now been confirmed – James will play at Paok Sports Arena on Tuesday 4th October.  Tickets will be on sale shortly from ticketarena.gr.

We’re very sorry to have to confirm that the second day of 2310 Festival in Thessaloniki, which the band were scheduled to headline this Thursday 7/7, has had to be cancelled due to general strike action in Greece.

James were very much looking forward to this show and we apologise on behalf of the band to all the fans who were planning to attend.

There is some good news though…  We’ll be announcing a new James date in Thessaloniki as soon as we have it confirmed – the show should be in October, so please keep an eye on the site for details.

Refunds for the 2310 tickets are available from point of purchase.