Beautiful blue skies helped attract thousands to Rhyl for the first of three open air concerts.
On Friday Rhyl Events Arena hosted the first of its seafront shows featuring The K's, The Lightning Seeds and headliners James.
Ian Broudie’s hugely successful indie outfit whetted the crowds’ appetite with fantastic live versions of classics including Sugar Coated Iceberg, Life of Riley before finishing with the exquisite Pure.
The Liverpudlian front man's warm personality in the even warmer evening summer sunshine went down well with the excited audience.
Anticipation had reached its peak when Manchester music legends James took to the stage with lead singer Tim Booth dressed initially in a woolly hat and sweater launching into the pounding Walk like you.
Before long he had ditched the wool ensemble and had the crowd in the palm of his hand, especially following a version of arguably the group’s most popular hit 'Sit Down', making his way to the front of the stage, crouching down and urging people to sing along with the timeless indie anthem.
The ever-enigmatic Booth proved to be on good form, warmly welcoming the audience back after Covid pandemic lockdowns had curbed live shows.
In a topical move he even referenced this week’s departure of Prime Minister Boris Johnson before launching into the hit Moving On – featuring the line: ‘I'm on my way, soon be moving on my way, leave a little light on’.
In spite of a couple of instances which needed the attention from security, including one which saw the band have to temporarily halt their performance, highlights from the 100-minute set included majestic renditions of Ring The Bells and How was it for you, and almost spiritual like versions of She's A Star and Curse Curse as the sun dipped behind the stage.
The band’s encore saw them perform another early 90s anthem Come Home which the crowd sang along with at the top of their voice.
The audience remained in fine voice for the final song, Sometimes, culminating in a spinetingling singalong as the entire band ventured to the front of the stage to accept their rightful rapturous applause, with an appreciative Booth welcoming the adulation with the line 'so much love'.
Rhyl's series of seafront concerts continues today (Saturday July 9) with Jack Savoretti, supported by soul survivor Beverley Knight, and on Sunday (July 10) chart star Tom Grennan, along with special guest Ella Henderson
For tickets visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01745 33 00 00.
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