James - Girl at the End of the World tour, 02 Academy Bournemouth

EXPECT the unexpected Saul Davies from James told me before the band's latest South Coast stop.

He certainly wasn't wrong.

I've seen James many times in the past, with a Royal Albert Hall concert accompanied by a 20 piece orchestra the most remarkable and their last Bournemouth date getting under way with the surprise moment when Tim Booth parted the crowd as he strolled towards stage in fine trademark voice.

But I certainly wasn't prepared for the frontman to crowd surf his way to the back of the packed crowd and return to stage the same way - or for fans to force a mid set encore from the band.

The impromptu singalong to the chorus of old favourite Sometimes lasted several minutes and caused the delighted band to launch into an unexpected encore.

Opening with a pared down version of Say Something, the set continues with new tracks from 2016 album Girl at the End of the World.

Nearly 35 years on from the band's beginnings, they show no sign of slowing down, having produced a 14th album which came close to knocking Adele off the number one spot following its release in March.

Stand out live tracks from the new record include the bubbly synth-led Dear John, about the break up of relationship, and Move Down South, which deals with the drought affecting Booth's now native California.

Eight performers revel in the chance to bring the audience these new tracks, as well as the folky acoustic sounds of Just Like Fred Astaire and encore crowd pleaser Come Home.

But I couldn't help but feel disappointed at the omission of their biggest anthem Sit Down and other favourites like Laid.

As always, James provide a joyous singalong show. I know they can't please all of the people all of the time, but a few more from the back catalogue would have gone down a storm.

LORELEI REDDIN