James gig at Bonus Arena is ‘spoilt’ by ‘horrible violence’
BAND MEMBERS CRITICISE ‘DRUNK DISRUPTORS’ ON SOCIAL MEDIA
“HORRIBLE violence” marred the final night of legendary Indie band James’ tour at Hull’s Bonus Arena on Friday night.
The Nineties rock band, famous for hits including Sit Down and She’s A Star, were playing the final night of their tour in the city when a “drunken brawl” reportedly broke out in the crowd.
Members of James took to social media after the show to comment on the “drunken disruption,” with its trumpet player Andy Diagram tweeting to say his night “had been spoilt”.
He said: “TBH (to be honest) not the best end of tour. Horrible violence from some sections of the audience.
“Hope your night wasn’t spoilt … mine was.”
Lead singer Tim Booth also tweeted about the gig. He said: “Strange evening in Hull. The fact is there were only a few drunk disruptors – can happen anywhere – mostly we could blank them out and perform to the joyful majority and hope they could blank out the idiots, too.”
Formed in Manchester in 1982, James gained increasing popularity during the Madchester music craze which swept the nation in the early 1990s.
Sit Down, arguably one of their greatest tracks, reached number two in the UK Singles Chart when it was re-released in 1991.
Studio albums Goldmother (1990), Seven (1992) and Millionaires (1999) also hit the number two spot in the UK Albums Chart upon release, with their 1998 Best Of compilation reaching number one.
The band became inactive in 2001 but reunited in January 2007 and have gone on to record six further studio albums.
James performed the last night of their Living In Extraordinary Times tour at the Bonus Arena. Fans at the gig apologised to the band for the behaviour of those involved in the disruption.
One said: “Rarely have I been so ashamed of Hull ... “James and Tim Booth pleading with the audience to stop talking … the gig being stopped for fighting … just f ****** embarrassing. “They won’t come again. Nor should they bother. Embarrassing Hull.”
Another said: “Amazing as always, spoilt by the disrespectful chatter and drunken brawls.
“Part of what I love is seeing how you all love what you’re doing so much, I can’t imagine last night was that much fun at times.”
Despite the disruption though, many fans still said they had enjoyed the night. One said: “It was a shame re. the violence but the rest of the gig was quite brilliant. Please come back again.”