(BELMAR, NJ) --- On Friday, May 8, 2026, we celebrated James Maddock's latest album release show for "Forever June" with a sold out crowd at Belmar Arts Center. And what an unforgettable celebration it was - in a beautiful listening room with the crowd alternating between complete silence and thunderous applause as Maddock lifted us all through a setlist that was equal parts crowd favorites and cuts from his stellar new album "Forever June".
The opening song "Another Life" set the tone for an evening of superb story songs delivered with Maddock's signature raspy, sincere and moving vocals as well as such skilled guitar playing that it sounds like there are three players on the stage. He followed with crowd favorites "Breezy" and "Runaway" to get the show off to a magnificent start.
The first of the new tracks was next and Maddock invited guest Sharon Lasher to lend her beautiful harmonies on "Take My Side" and Lasher's harmonies are also featured on the new album.
Then came "Waiting On My Girl" followed by the exquisite new track "Wish You Were Here" - so beautiful, you could hear an audible gasp from the crowd at the end...
After this we were treated to "Once There Was A Boy" - both a slow thoughtful version and a rocking version of the same song with totally different vibes, recalling the youth of a boy and memories of a mom, a theme that recurs in Maddock's songs and stories. There was a break at this point with a long line at the merch table where Maddock's new album was available in both CD and vinyl formats. And in no time he was back onstage to continue mesmerizing and moving every person in the room.
Maddock started the second set with the lovely "Little Bird" where he was accompanied by his second guest of the night, Diane Doolittle on flute. Her playing was superb and perfectly matched Maddock's soulful vocal.
This was followed by "Keep Your Dream" and another new track "You And Me" inspired by Maddock's guitar teacher who came on Saturday mornings and Maddock's mom would get him out of bed for his guitar lessons. Somewhere in here, Maddock decided to deviate from the setlist to honor his mom with the poignantly lovely "Lavender Blue" which pleased the crowd greatly.
Next up was the new track "Picture Me" which comes across as an ode to Maddock's new hometown in Bradley Beach and was certainly very well received by the mostly local crowd. This was followed by "Your Face" and then the Maddock classic "Beautiful Now" much to the delight of all of us.
Closing tunes included "Drive Around" and "My Old Neighbourhood" with a mindblowing finale in the new track "Solitude" which is almost like a duet between Maddock's signature vocal and his exquisite guitar playing on this poignant lonesome song. Then the quiet was broken by riotous applause and a standing ovation that threatened not to quit. But then Maddock decided to give us an encore chosen by the audience. The winner was "Never Ending" where Maddock added rousing harmonica and Doolittle joined again with delicate flute playing - a perfectly moving and beautiful ending to a perfectly moving and beautiful show...
James Maddock writes lyrics that evoke movie images and music that pierces hearts. It is of note that his live performance is as close as possible to the quality of his recordings but his songs really come to life for the listener when he is experienced playing live - we wanted the show to go on forever. For me, the high point of many high points was the first ever live version of "Wish You Were Here" evoking a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Leonard Cohen but at the end of the day it is purely James Maddock!
You can catch James Maddock And Band at The Vogel on July 10th - do not miss this stellar live show!
VIDEOS AND PHOTOS BY HELEN O'SHEA
