British alternative rock legends James are heading back to Australia for the first time since 2018, bringing a career-spanning show that will see them perform their landmark 1993 album Laid in full alongside a selection of greatest hits and fan favourites.
The Manchester band will play Melbourne’s Margaret Court Arena on 10 October as part of a five-date Australian and New Zealand tour, joined by fellow UK indie favourites Razorlight.
With more than 30 million albums sold worldwide, James remain one of Britain’s most enduring and influential bands. Formed in 1982, the group became a defining part of the Madchester movement and built a devoted global following through a combination of anthemic songwriting, introspective lyrics and a willingness to continually evolve their sound.
Songs such as Sit Down, Getting Away With It (All Messed Up) and Laid helped establish the band as alternative music heavyweights, while recent years have shown they are still far from a nostalgia act. Their 2024 album Yummy became their first studio release to reach number one on the UK Albums Chart, arriving more than four decades after the band’s formation.
The tour also comes as James prepare to release a new career-spanning documentary directed by acclaimed filmmaker Chris Atkins, charting the band’s remarkable journey from Manchester indie outsiders to one of the UK’s most beloved live acts.
Joining them on all Australian dates are Razorlight, who return to local stages for the first time in more than 15 years. The band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their multi-platinum self-titled album, featuring era-defining tracks including America, In The Morning and Before I Fall To Pieces.
Together, the two bands promise a night packed with indie classics, deep cuts and songs that helped define British guitar music across multiple generations.
Pre-sales begin on 30 June, with general public tickets on sale from 2 July. For ticket information and pre-sale registration, visit https://destroyalllines.com/tours/james.
