Gut Reactions (post-gig memories and other trips): James "Love is the Answer" Tour, OVO Hydro, Glasgow. Wednesday 8th April, 2026

I've only ever been to one James concert before. My wife declined to attend this one, despite enjoying them last time. She felt that was a box she's already ticked. I needed to know if they were always this good. We'd had seats last time, so we were a bit removed from those who got to experience Tim up close as he crowdsurfed over them. I wanted a bit of that.

I arrived before the official door opening time, made my way through security (I always get frisked), and headed for the OVO presale door. And was let in. It felt like a Walking Dead moment, seeing so many standing outside beyond the locked doors, while I waited inside in a queue of four people at Door C.

Once each of the inner doors opened, a race to reach the barrier began; however, attendees were not allowed to run. Stewards dotted around the arena repeatedly reminded offenders to walk, but the boldest already had the edge, grabbing the centre. I landed a barrier spot on the left, as far along as the end of the stage walkway. Not an ideal angle, but right at the front.

The view before the masses descend

I'd left a six-inch gap between myself and the girl on my right. A hand reached out and grasped the pole, staking a claim. A bearded man wanted his daughter on the barrier, and he was prepared to do whatever it took to make that happen, maintaining his grip till James came on if need be. He asked the girl on my right if she'd give up her spot so his small daughter could see better. She bluntly refused. He didn't ask me. However, he wanted a drink, and his daughter was unwilling to leave her hand in his place, so they gave up and moved on.

The preshow music consisted of nineties classics: Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, The Verve, Placebo, and such like. Even the young ones knew the songs and sang along.

The bloke on my left, wearing a James hoodie, was chatty and amiable. A Lancastrian, he was mad for James and travelled far and wide to see them. He'd come up from Morecambe with his wife, but she was hanging back. He admitted he would only wait on the barrier for the first six or so James songs, then go back and join her. We chat about Glasgow and our experiences at gigs.

Doves appear at 7.25 pm. I'm not familiar with their work, but I enjoy the performance. Not much to see except the band playing their instruments in the tiny space afforded them. At one point, the guitarist takes over the drum kit so the drummer can sing lead vocals. At the end, almost all of them are on percussion. After forty-five minutes, their turn is over.

Doves

During their set, the lads behind me were getting rowdy. They were loud, chatty and weren't interested in Doves. The girls next to them, led by an assertive, tattooed mother, try to charm me into giving up my spot. Nothing sexual. She wasn't offering me the youngest's virginity or anything. She asked if I would give up my spot on the barrier, and I declined. Then she started work on the Englishman. He was more amenable. He knew he wouldn't stay for the whole concert and promised them his slot. Nice guy.

Or so I thought. Within a few songs, his enthusiasm had elbowed me out of the way. I should have stood my ground, but, to be honest, I felt like a bit of a fraud, surrounded by fans who knew every word and wanted to dance up a storm. To be fair to him, he kept his word and manoeuvred the tattooed woman and her daughter onto the barrier when he left. They were ecstatic when Tim stood in front of them and held their hands. With hindsight, it's clear my English friend did the right thing. He was the better man.

Standing behind the girls felt more comfortable. I could easily see over their heads and take a couple of videos of the band for my YouTube page. Okay, yes, that tattooed arm ruined a few of my photos, but this wasn't a photography club. It was a live music experience. And it was brilliant.

Not my arm.

During the show, Tim admitted they change the setlist every night to keep it fresh, so we were not to expect anything slick. In fact, they didn't even stick to the printed setlist, changing it up as the mood took Tim. I suppose the band know their back catalogue so well, he trusts them to deliver.

Tim performing on the balcony was quite a sight and an amazing experience for the seated attendees. Granted, he didn't make it all the way round, but still, that's not something that happens at many other gigs. He made many fans very happy.

After two songs, Tim instructed the band to fill while he made his way back to the stage. The violinist initiated some experimental jazz, which Tim quickly shut down, telling them to play something less shit. They did.

Tim has a magnetic presence. His dancing is so loose and free, and he loves to be directly in front of his audience. Chloe and Debbie also came down to join us at different times. Chloe made the night for a number of girls on the barrier, holding their hands and gazing into their eyes as she sang to them. Such a personal touch. It was lovely to watch.

I may not have been intimately aware of all the songs played, but the experience was still sublime. I'll trade not being able to see every screen for that moment meeting with Tim's gaze. I didn't attempt to hold his hand. I let the dedicated fans have that experience. Afterwards, I saw one of the rowdy youths say to his mates, "Tim held that hand", while holding it by the wrist like it was now a sacred object, blessed by the Booth.

After the show, I waited and tracked down someone who had received a printed setlist, politely asking if I could take a picture of it. (See below). As I said above, though, they didn't stick to it.