5 Things We Love About The New James Live Album

James' new live album, Live at the Acropolis, is a remarkable celebration of their 40-year musical journey, recorded on July 10, 2023, at the historic Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece. Released today, we believe the record is a triumph of the live album genre and a masterclass in delivering deluxe releases directly to fans.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Live at the Acropolis showcases a pinnacle moment in James' 2023 orchestral tour – a performance that left a lasting mark on all who witnessed it. With exclusive formats released in partnership with Townsend on the Official James Store, here are just some of the reasons to add this to your collection.

1) Stunning Location

Built in 161 AD by Herodes Atticus in memory of his wife, Odeon of Herodes Atticus Amphitheatre in Athens, Greece is one of the most beautifully preserved ancient amphitheatres on earth. The site was engineered for acoustic perfection; even without modern amplification, voices and instruments carry clearly across the stone seating, capturing a grandeur in the recording perfectly in concert with James' spiritually rich rock music.

2) Full Orchestra and Choir

Live At The Acropolis bursts from the speakers and screen with its unique fusion of James' dynamic sound with a 22-piece orchestra and an 8-piece gospel choir, all under the direction of composer Joe Duddell. The rich enhancements add a tour-tested alternative to James' beloved repertoire, offering an unmatched musical experience for longtime fans and newcomers alike.

3) Absolutely No Overdubs

In keeping with James' legendary reputation for sincere, heartfelt live shows, Live At the Acropolis is captured live, with no overdubs. In a time where many artists' live albums are engineered within an inch of their lives with corrections and additional takes in the studio, James have the confidence and truthfulness to give us the genuine article; on Live At The Acropolis, you're hearing the record exactly as it sounded that legendary night.

4) Career Spanning Setlist

James pride themselves on their varied setlists and tours where the same set is never played twice. True to form, this record features a mix of beloved hits and deeper cuts (including no less than ten orchestral versions not previously available on their 2023 album Be Opened By The Wonderful). Those who haven't delved too deeply into the band's rich back catalogue but are interested in jumping in via this release, fear not, alongside newer tracks, all the classics are present and correct, including 'Sit Down', 'Laid', 'She's A Star', 'Tomorrow' and 'Sometimes'.

5) Store Exclusive Deluxe Formats

Filmed on 16 cameras in glorious 4k and mixed in Dolby Atmos, the Store-exclusive Bookset and CD/UHD versions of the record include the full concert film. Also exclusive to the James Official Store is the stunning Triple Vinyl edition, with the vinyl colourway selected by the band to evoke the marble surroundings of the record's opulent location.