By Vlad T, Journalist, Rock At Night Detroit and Chyrisse Tabone, Photographer, Rock At Night Tampa

Live Review: James at the Majestic Theatre, Detroit, MI – September 18, 2025

For the first time in their storied career, UK indie rock icons James delivered a full run-through of their seminal 1993 album Laid as the centerpiece of their 2025 North American tour. Rock At Night was front and center for the electric evening at Detroit’s Majestic Theatre on September 18, 2025.

Band members stretched the performance envelope of the stage well beyond its conventional boundaries, with Booth floating through the audience in a memorable rendition of “Born of Frustration” and turning a bartop at the rear of the venue into a stage in its own right.

Vocalist Tim Booth’s voice remains ever so clear, expressive, and melodic. In his hands, the songs are as much mini modern arias as they are pop works. Moreover, his bohemian costume and expressive dancing suggest a link to the early days that saw the band on the bill at the WOMAD world music festival.

Propelled by stalwarts like David Baynton-Power, David Diagram, and Saul Davies, the band treated the audience to playing that was taut and economical, yet deftly punctuated key points of the evening by judiciously channeling power. It wouldn’t be exaggeration to consider it orchestral.

With accomplished and imaginative performers like James, seeing them perform live is not merely a concert—it’s a show.

PHOTO GALLERY