Mancunian, seven-man-strong rock band James are the final artist announcement for Dubai Jazz Fest, they’ll join Santana, Chris Botti & Sting, Toto and David Gray at the weekend-long event.

The British veterans formed in 1982 when bass player Jim Glennie was just 16. They will play on the first day of Dubai Jazz Festival, Thursday February 24, alongside Toto and YouTube sensations Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox. It’ll be a relaxed affair, so you’ll be likely to be able to ‘sit down’ while listening to their tunes (if you’re a James fan you’ll get that terrible excuse for a joke).

The lads have 13 studio albums (and have sold 12 million albums worldwide) – their hits include Sit Down, Come Home, She’s a Star and Sometimes. Their new album – Girl at the End of the World – is set for release on March 18 2016.

Their success peaked in the 1990s, and while they split in 2001 they reformed in 2007.

Here’s James now:

james-now

And James ‘then’ – pictured in 1990:

james-then

Here’s the first track released from their new album.

And some of the James tunes you’ll want to sing along to on the night:

February 24 to 26

Dubai Media City Ampitheatre. Tickets are on sale now and cost from Dhs395 for regular standing to Dhs795 for golden circle, Dhs995 for fan pit and Dhs1,450 for VIP. For more information, visit www.dubaijazzfest.com.

Photos: Getty & supplied.