James still conjures magic after 42 years

Aberdeen witnessed a phenomenon on Saturday: a band defying categorization and age, delivering a performance that felt both nostalgic and utterly contemporary. James, the Manchester-bred collective, proved that five decades in the Music industry haven't diminished their ability to captivate, innovate, or simply move an audience – and they did so with a setlist as unpredictable as their career trajectory.

The improvised heart of a legend

Tim Booth, the band’s charismatic frontman, acknowledged a shift in audience expectations, musing on whether his trademark stage dives are a relic of a younger fanbase. Yet, the sheer energy of the crowd – a demographic spanning generations – belied that notion. James’s longevity isn't a matter of simply playing the hits; it’s rooted in their refusal to adhere to formula. As Booth accurately described, they are