June 15, 2008 19:40

James follow in The Who's footsteps at Isle Of Wight

Plus band make 9/11 protest at 2008 festival

James made their first ever appearance at the Isle Of Wight festival today (June 14), but revealed the island looms large in their tradition.

Taking to the main stage just after 6pm (BST) on the final day of the event, the band sported a hotch-potch of costumes from frontman Tim Booth's beenie hat, through suits and ties to even a red dress.

"Thanks motherfuckers, it's great to be here," declared the singer. "Let's wake this place up!"

The band then played a set which mixed songs from comeback album 'Hey, Ma' - including the title track, which Booth explained was about the "foolish response of the British and American governments to 9/11" - with a host of classics including 'Tomorrow', 'Sometimes' and 'Laid', the latter of which saw the band "sneak" fans onstage to dance with them at the end of the show.

Notably, 'Sit Down' was absent from the set.

Despite it being the band's first show on the Isle Of Wight, Booth earlier revealed the island figured strong in their camp's history.

"Our manager tour-managed The Who here on the first Isle Of Wight festival," he told Virgin Radio "He is in the film of the Isle Of Wight festival shouting at people! But it's our first time."

James played:

'Born Of Frustration'
'Waterfall'
'Come Home'
'Whiteboy'
'Tomorrow'
'Hey, Ma'
'Upside'
'Out To Get You'
'I Wanna Go Home'
'She's A Star'
'Sometimes (Lester Piggott)'
'Laid'

Live highlights of the band's set are being broadcast at Virginradio.co.uk.

Keep up with this weekend's (June 13-15) festival action as it happens on NME.COM. For news, pictures and blogs keep checking the NME.COM's Isle Of Wight Festival page and NME.COM's Download Festival page for live coverage from both sites.