Judging by the rapturous reception at a fairly packed Utilita Arena (Birmingham’s biggest indoor venue), the second coming of former baggy stars James shows no signs of abating.

As the band approaches its 45th birthday, they’re as bright, lively and energetic as ever - and remarkably playing some of their biggest headline gigs. And on the evidence of this terrific two-hour show, some of their best too.

The current tour is ostensibly to promote recent compilation album Nothing But Love, but as this reviewer has mentioned before, it’s best not to attend a James gig expecting to hear songs that get played at the indie disco. Singer Tim Booth once told me the band’s fans know them for “setlist changes and not playing the hits all the time”, and so it proved during a performance that included nuggets from the back catalogue alongside a selection of singalong singles.

The balance was just about right (with the accent on ‘just’ - more on that later), the lesser-known tunes giving the audience a chance to catch breath - not least after an incredible opening salvo of Come Home, I Know What I’m Here For and Ring the Bells - but occasionally pulling the rug out just as people started dancing on it. Booth himself admitted it was “suicide, but that’s how we roll” when they followed a jubilant Sit Down (which as usual brought those seated to their feet) with Nantucket, one of two brand-new songs that are effectively still being written.

Long-term fans will also have enjoyed the likes of Greenpeace, Shadow Of A Giant and Skindiving, the latter sung by Chloe Alper with Booth mysteriously nowhere to be seen. Any confusion was cleared up when he reappeared at the back of the arena to perform the next three songs (Born of Frustration, Say Something and She’s A Star) while making his way through the masses to rejoin his companions.

The genial singer remains a terrific frontman, and while the walkabout made you unsure where to look - at the band, the giant video screens or around the venue trying to spot him? - it was doubtless worth it for those that found him joining them in their row.

The singer got away with it without getting too messed up, and was back on stage for a finale that included Five-O, Tomorrow and Sound, a last-minute choice of set closer that may or may not have put paid to the inclusion of Laid in the subsequent encore. Instead we got Out To Get You and Sometimes (Lester Piggott) - both terrific tunes but not my teenage companion’s previously indicated all-time favourite. I did warn her.

4 stars (one docked for not playing Laid)

Reviewed by Steve Adams at Utilita Arena, Birmingham on 3 April. Photography by Florence Caines.