The full story of iconic Manchester band James will be told in a major new documentary film, Getting Away With It, which gets its cinema premiere in Manchester next week. The film features candid interviews with band members past and present, as well as contributions from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Brian Eno, and Jo Whiley.
A decade of false starts
Formed in early 80s Manchester, James endured a decade of false starts, bad decisions, and bewildering missteps before their iconic hit 'Sit Down' propelled them to national fame in 1991. The film tells how the group joined a cult, which forced them to meditate for 12 hours a day, leading them to turn down a US tour with The Smiths. They rejected Factory Records, hired their drummer on the advice of a psychic, and even undertook medical experiments to pay the bills.
More chart-topping hits followed, along with infighting, tax bills, and an infamously hedonistic Lollapalooza tour. The band fractiously collapsed at the millennium, before reuniting in 2007 to find their biggest audiences yet, critical acclaim, and finally, a number one album.
Manchester premiere and live simulcast
The movie is billed as "a soulful and wry account of creativity, friendship and the mistakes that shaped one of the UK music's most improbable success stories" and will have a big Manchester premiere at Aviva Studios on Monday, August 17, which will simulcast at 250 cinemas across the UK. The band, fronted by Tim Booth, will stage a special live performance and Q&A at the end of the Manchester screening. The film, band performance, and Q&A will be broadcast live to approximately 250 cinemas across the UK & Ireland, and select international markets.
The Aviva Studios event is sold out, but tickets are still available at selected cinemas for the screening, including in Greater Manchester at the Vue in Manchester Printworks and Odeon Cinema at The Trafford Centre. For a full list, see the website JamesGettingAwayWithIt.com.
Director and manager reactions
Chris Atkins, Director of James: Getting Away With It, said: "I discovered James at my lowest ebb while languishing in Wandsworth prison. I've since been obsessed with the story of this extraordinary band, who have the most unbelievable history of struggles and wrong turns, and are now revered all over the world."
The band's manager, Neil Hughes, said: "I first saw James play live in 1990, became their radio plugger for a few years in the late 90s, have been friends with them for 28 years and managed them for nearly five years. The honesty and depth of this documentary meant I still found out so many new things about this wonderful, powerful, ever evolving and unique band. The story will surprise many people….. It will entertain everyone."
Marc Robinson, President, Globe Originals, said: "As a longtime James fan, this film was a joy to bring to life. Their story is an extraordinary journey built on creativity, resilience, friendship, and a commitment to artistic integrity. Their music has soundtracked countless lives, but what makes this documentary so special is the behind-the-scenes access. The honesty, vulnerability, humour and authenticity with which the band tell their story is truly remarkable. It's an incredible film about an incredible band, and I'm grateful they chose to share their journey so openly."
Wayne Yardley, CEO of RipplaStudios, said: "We are delighted to be working with the teams at Mercury Studios, Globe Originals and of course, the band themselves, on what promises to be an unmissable big screen event for James' legion of fans."
