The band were headlining the festival as the accident happenedWilliam Telford Business Editor, Plymouth Live and Elizabeth Cotton TV and Celebrity Writer
15:22, 13 Jun 2025
James’ frontman, Tim Booth, had to sit for most of their set in Plymouth(Image: William Telford)
Tim Booth, the frontman of Indie rock band James found himself sitting down the majority of their show in Plymouth after injuring his ankle in a fall.
Originally from Manchester, the band rose to fame in the 1990s, with four top-10 hits on the UK Singles Chart and nine top-10 placings on the UK Albums Chart.
There is some irony in that one of their best known hits is Sit Down after frontman Tim Booth really did have to sit down for most of the band’s show.
The injury took place after the 65-year-old singer decided to leave the stage during the performance of their second number, Say Something.
Although fans were delighted to be close to him, Tim tripped while walking over to them behind the barriers.
He fell and remained on the ground for a few moments before being helped back to his feet by stage crew members.
The star was happy to greet and sing to fans who had travelled to see the band perform(Image: William Telford)
Although looking slightly shaken by the incident, he continued to sing and perform for the rest of the set. He also decided to go back up to fans and was seen directly singing to some of them at the front.
Once back on stage, he told the audience he had “turned” his ankle, and while in some pain he said: “I won’t be doing much dancing tonight, you will have to do it for me.”
The band were in Plymouth as they headlined the first night of the four-day Plymouth Summer Sessions festival. While the star tried to carry on after his injury, he eventually announced: “I really have f***ed my ankle. I will have to sit down” after four songs.
Once the crew bought a seat over to him, he mostly sat down for the remainder of the show, but made a few light-hearted jokes regarding his injury – adding that he should be substituted, football style.
At one point Booth called the band’s manager Neil Hughes onto the stage and said that, as the pair look similar, he could do the dancing for him. The crowd roared approval with chants of “Neil! Neil!” But the manager declined his moment in the spotlight.
The band’s set lasted for nearly two hours as they opened the 7,000-capacity venue. For the opening night they were supported by Razorlight, Jamie Webster and Tom A Smith. The festival continues on Friday (12th June) with Pendulum topping the bill, and Normandie, Hot Milk and Wargasm in support.
Those hoping to catch the Saturday show will see Irish family group The Corrs as the main attraction, backed by Natalie Imbruglia and Dea Matrona. Snow Patrol close the festival on Sunday, with support from The Lathams, Somebody’s Child and Grace Lightman.