Today (8th Nov), James announce the release of JAMES, LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS, available to pre-order from today and released 31st January 2025 via Townsend. Recorded at the iconic Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens in July 2023, the album and accompanying film captures James performing a very special show with a 22 piece orchestra and gospel choir for a spellbinding and unique concert. The album also contains 10 tracks that were not featured on the band’s recent #1 album, Be Opened By The Wonderful.

Tim Booth says “We flew a 22-piece orchestra, eight-piece choir, nine piece band and all the brilliant technical crew needed to the oldest music venue in the world to see if we could capture magic in a bottle. Could the spontaneity and chaos of James blend with the vision and structure of Joe Duddell, orchestra, and choir. We did it!

Athena smiled on us, Chris Atkins and his film crew captured the moment and collectively, we did it. In this gig the band, choir and orchestra become one. Magic in a bottle.”

Jim Glennie says “The Acropolis gig was always a long shot. We had repeatedly applied for a permit to play and repeatedly we failed. The decision was made behind closed doors by historians and archaeologists. We pitched again 'James 40th Anniversary with an Orchestra and Gospel Choir'......They said 'Yes'. I guess that was the easy part.

Logistically a nightmare, with nine band members, 22 orchestra, 8 choir and MD the wonderful Joe Duddell, not including all the sound, lighting and film crew required.. Availability, wages, flights, equipment, the cost was eye watering but as a once in a lifetime opportunity, we had to do it.

The gig was on the 10th July 2023, two days later they closed The Acropolis due to excessive heat. The day was hot, especially for pasty, grey skinned Northerners. The evening cooled slightly and was manageable.

The set list was a mixture of all the highlights of our two collaborations with Joe, with a special emphasis on any songs that had not been on 'Opened By The Wonderful', ten to be precise.

James gigs are always a bit special but this was something else. A jaw droppingly beautiful setting, steeped in history and mythology, awe inspiring and humbling. With a Herculean effort from all involved, we pulled it off and filmed by the extremely capable and very talented Chris Atkins, you have a chance to share it with us. Be transported to a balmy, summer evening in Athens, you can almost smell the pine groves and hear the cicadas. Enjoy”.

To celebrate the release, Factory International in Manchester will host a premiere screening on Tuesday 10th December, followed by a Q&A with Tim Booth, Jim Glennie, Joe Duddell and the director & producer Chris Atkins (bestselling author and director of the documentary ‘Who Killed the KLF?’). Tim, Jim and Chris will dive into the stories, inspirations, and moments that made this concert a night to remember.

Tickets for the premiere screening are on sale now here.

James have also today announced a series of outdoor live headline shows for Summer 2025, which will take in Wychwood Festival, The Piece Hall Halifax, Hampton Court Palace, Plymouth Hoe, Thetford Forest and Colchester Castle, among others. Previously announced, James will also headline the Big Top stage on the Sunday night at Isle Of Wight Festival 2025.

The band have enjoyed one of their most successful years of their career, achieving their first studio album #1 with Yummy this summer, and their biggest ever arena tour with sold-out shows at Co-op Live and The 02. They followed this with a run of international summer festival dates and have just completed a US and Canada co-headline tour with Johnny Marr.

JAMES - 2025 LIVE DATES Please note, these shows will be live band (not orchestral)

Sat 31st May Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham
Fri 6th June The Piece Hall, Halifax
Wed 11th June Hampton Court Palace
Thurs 12th June Plymouth Hoe
Sat 14th June Lincoln Castle
Thurs 19th June Thetford Forest
Sat June 21st OceanFest, Croyde Bay
Sun 22nd June Isle of Wight Festival Previously announced
Sat 28th June Cannock Chase
Sun 29th June Llangollen Pavillion
Thurs 10th July Cardiff Castle
Fri 22nd Aug Colchester Castle

Ticket info here:
Pre sale tickets from 13th November Pre-order of JAMES, LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS for early access
General sale from 15th November
For more info visit: https://wearejames.com/

JAMES, LIVE AT THE ACROPOLIS - TRACKLIST

CD
PART 1
Magic Bus
We're Going to Miss You
The Shining
Dust Motes
The Lake
Beautiful Beaches
Say Something
Space
Ten Below
Moving On
Nothing but Love
Born of Frustration

PART 2
Sit Down
Love Make a Fool
Medieval
Someone's Got It in for Me
Alaskan Pipeline (not available on Blu Ray)
She's a Star
Hello
Riders
Laid
All the Colours of You
Many Faces
Tomorrow
Sometimes
Top of the World

VINYL
PART 1
Side A
Magic Bus
We're Going to Miss You
The Shining
Dust Motes

Side B
The Lake
Beautiful Beaches
Say Something
Space

Side C
Ten Below
Moving On
Nothing but Love
Born of Frustration

PART 2
Side D
Sit Down
Love Make a Fool
Medieval
Someone's Got It in for Me
Alaskan Pipeline

Side E
She's a Star
Hello
Riders
Laid
All the Colours of You
Many Faces

Side F
Tomorrow
Sometimes
Top of the World

Available in the following physical formats:

Marbled Coloured Triple Vinyl

Black Triple Vinyl

Double CD

Double CD / Blu Ray (DVD sized hardback book style) BluRay contains the full concert film, produced and directed by Chris Atkins. Filmed on 16 cameras in glorious 4k and mixed in Dolby Atmos

Book Set:

Different coloured vinyl

Double CD + Blu Ray + 24-page booklet

Atmos mix CD / Setlist Print

Pre order from today