Hometown heroes James return to Manchester Arena

We welcome a guest blogger to Mancunian Wave today. Joanne Reader is a freelance writer who loves talking about music, concerts and new bands on the scene.

Legendary Manchester band James made a triumphant homecoming when they played at the Manchester Arena (MEN) on April 26th - their first appearance at the venue since 2010. Equally legendary Liverpool band Echo & the Bunnymen appeared alongside them. 

James, who are best-known for their anthemic 1991 hit, 'Sit Down', have come a long way from being so hard-up that they were reduced to earning money by volunteering for medical experiments.

Even the first release of 'Sit Down' flopped in 1989, before reaching number two in the British charts two years later after Manchester clubbers latched onto its appeal, and actually sitting down when the song was played.Later hits followed for the band, including 'Sound' and 'She's a Star', which both reached number 9 in the British singles chart in 1991 and 1997 respectively. James were to have much more consistent success with their albums, and they reached number two with 'Gold Mother (1990)', 'Seven (1992)', and 'Millionaires (1999)'. 'The Best Of' album topped the British album charts in 1998. 

When charismatic frontman Tim Booth quit James in 2001 to focus on a solo career, the band remained dormant until reforming in 2007. An international tour followed, while the band's popularity around the world is underlined by album sales surpassing 25 million.

One of Manchester's many popular music acts 

Manchester has always been a strong musical city, producing such diverse talents as The Hollies, Herman's Hermits, 10cc, Joy Division, New Order and The Smiths. Beginning in the late 1980s, Manchester really took off as Britain's main music city, and the name Madchester was coined to cover some alternative rock and indie bands that were coming out of the city at the time, including The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, and, subsequently, James. The likes of Oasis were to owe a debt of gratitude to their musical predecessors when they became Britain's most popular rock band in the mid-1990s.


It's really as an outstanding live act that James have gained much of their reputation. Formed in the early 1980s, James became one of the best loved British indie bands of the 1990s and their appearances at some of the world's most famous international music festivals is proof of the band's enduring appeal.

Manchester remains a great city for music fans 

The city of Manchester remains one of the best cities in the UK for music fans to visit, and it has had a strong reputation as a clubbing city ever since the days of the Hacienda in the early 1980s. To really experience the vibrant music scene fully, I would recommend booking a whole weekend with friends in Manchester - as one night won't be long enough! When the girls and I were last there, there was just so much to experience that we ended up staying for two nights!

For accommodation, it's easy to find a hotel near the MEN Arena, as so many of them are within a mile of the venue. Best of all, several of them offer special discounts and prices when you book in advanced. Go on… you deserve a treat!

What are your memories of James or do you have another favourite Mancunian band?