James – Live Review – The Piece Hall, Halifax
By Steve Crabtree, June 2025
Halifax had been waiting for this since August last year. When the lights went out on the final show of the 2024 season and The Piece Hall fell quiet again, people were already yearning for live music echoing around the courtyard, and thousands of people losing themselves in it to return.
And it never comes soon enough.
The first gig of the Live at The Piece Hall summer music season always has a bit of extra weight behind it. There’s something about walking back through those entrances, feeling the atmosphere again, and knowing you’re about to be part of something brilliant. And this year, it was James who were the ones to get it all started. A fantastic choice – one of my favourite bands – and a group I’ve probably seen ten times now. They always bring it, and they always draw a crowd…
“Good evening, Venice”
It was Friday night, and my mate Dan and I wandered in to The Piece Hall at around 7.30pm. The place was buzzing and warm-up act, The K’s were halfway through their set. I’d never heard of this band before, and usually, if I’m in while the support’s on, I’ll grab a beer and have a catch up with whoever I’m with. But these lads turned heads. A proper strong Northern sound, and definitely worth paying attention to.
After stocking up on refreshments from Loafers, we found a great vantage point about three quarters of the way back. A fantastic view, and James came on just before 9pm. Judging by the welcome, Halifax were very pleased to have them back.
Here we had loads of fans in daisy-print gear, people who were probably there from the early days, and younger ones who’ve clearly grown up on the good stuff. Tim Booth looked out at the Piece Hall and said “Good evening, Venice!”, impressed by this architectural masterpiece we were all stood in. And with that, they launched into ‘Johnny Yen’ and we were off.
“Classic move”
The set was a great mix. Stuff for the die-hards and the more well-known hits that get the crowd bouncing. ‘Waltzing Along’ and ‘Sometimes (Lester Piggot)’ came early, and you could feel the happiness ripple through the crowd. ‘Born Of Frustration’, which I absolutely love – sounded incredible. And I’m always happy when they play ‘Just Like Fred Astaire’, so when that made the setlist, I was pleased.
It was a typically British summers evening and, halfway in, the rain came. Not just a light drizzle either, it poured. But you know what? No one cared. The lights were on, the sky was dark, and the rain just gave it an extra edge. It actually added something to the night. Everyone just stayed put, getting soaked through but loving every second.
‘She’s A Star’ had the crowd in full voice, and Booth properly got stuck in with a stage dive during ‘Getting Away With It (All Messed Up)’. A classic move, and the crowd loved it. ‘Five-O’ was beautiful, and ‘Heads’ popped up as a nice choice before the final run-in.
“A bit of teasing going on”
There was a bit of teasing going on at the end. Booth joked they were going to end on some random B-side. You could feel the crowd half-laughing, half-believing. But thankfully he was on the wind up. They finished on a proper trio – ‘Tomorrow’, ‘Sit Down’ and the one everyone hopes for but doesn’t always get… ‘Laid’. And when that kicked in, we found even more in our voices and we were absolutely loving life. What a perfect way to end a fantastic night.
Honestly, this gig had everything. Rain, euphoria, one of Britain’s best bands, and the return of that Piece Hall magic. James are always brilliant, and this was another special one.
I just can’t wait for the next gigs…
Images: Cuffe & Taylor & The Piece Hall
Give Steve music, give him food, give him theatre, tech or travel… and he’s a happy man. He’s been writing professionally since 2003, turning to journalism in 2017 when it offered him the chance to enjoy a lot of his existing passions, and learn some new ones at the same time. Steve can be found spending many of his summer nights watching bands at The Piece Hall in his hometown of Halifax, or enjoying a bite to eat and a drink with his wife anywhere in Yorkshire at any time of year. Random fact: He does the best impression of Zippy and George from Rainbow that anyone has ever heard.
