Artist: James

Support: Happy Mondays

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 25.11.21

Strange yet familar bedfellows. James and Happy Mondays both started their recording careers on Factory Records and became stalwart members of the ‘Madchester’ movement. Almost 40 years later, both bands are still going strong and filling arenas.

Happy Mondays are on form with their three-strong front team, Shaun, Bez & Rowetta batting banter back and forth. It’s a ‘best of’ support slot and the perfect way to warm-up the arena. Although they do seem to be in it for the money as Shaun continually asks the band how long they’ve been on stage and how many songs they’ve got left to play.

Happy Mondays Setlist: Kinky Afro / God’s Cop / Loose Fit / Bob’s Yer Uncle / Dennis and Lois / 24 Hour Party People / Hallelujah / He’s Gonna Step on You Again / Wrote for Luck

James Setlist: Zero / Isabella / She’s a Star / Born of Frustration / Five-O / All the Colours of You / Gold Mother / Curse Curse / Come Home / Miss America / Attention / Hymn from a Village / Beautiful Beaches / Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) / Sound // Wherever It Takes Us / Sit Down / Laid