ShareJoe Jackson performing his The Two Rounds Of Racket Tour at The Town Hall Birmingham on Monday 14th October 2024
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
With the lights dipped Joe Jackson seated stage right at a lone electronic keyboard, began the first half of his two hour set before a busy Town Hall Birmingham on Sunday night and looked a little like a particularly accomplished busker.
Playing in front of a crimson curtain on an entirely unadorned stage, he let his voice and the lyrics of his classic hits mesmerise this packed crowd who hung on his every word. Most artists begin the set with their new songs and Jackson was no exception as he opened with Dave from his 2019 album, Fool followed by Take It Like A Man, both delivered in his inimitable style, his voice and deft finger work as on point as ever.
But the crowd didn’t have to wait long before his intelligent new wave hits made an appearance, such as Real Man, On Your Radio, It’s Different For Girls and the song that had the crowd applauding at the first notes, a sophisticated Steppin’ Out, all hits from the days when the Portsmouth reared songwriter was mislabelled an ‘angry young man’ but which all served to help bring the crowd to life.
For Ray Davis’ iconic Waterloo Sunset, the simple yet perfectly formed chords were given the Jackson stamp, and the bizarre Harry Fragson’s Hello, Hello, Who’s Your Lady Friend? was a real surprise but had the crowd clapping and singing along and then his first set was brought to an end with a chorus of My Old Dutch which served to show Jackson’s more sentimental side but which really entertained the crowd.
In lesser hands the second half might not have worked quite so well as he launched into songs from last year’s concept album, What A Racket! Performing as his fictional alter ego, music hall performer Max Champion, he was joined on stage by a eight piece orchestra who performed all of the album songs whilst holding court centre stage wearing a stovepipe hat and tails.
Songs such as What A Racket! The Bishop And The Actress, Health & Safety and The Sporting Life might not have been understood but never the less they were appreciated as the crowd gave him and his players a standing ovation before the encore.
He didn’t leave the stage without a final nod to his illustrious back catalogue. In the past his first single from 1978, Is She Really Going Out With Him? has been interpreted in many ways that include a capella, pop and even with a little soul tinge but it is doubtful that it has ever been delivered or sculpted in a way that would have been recognisable only to music hall stagers.
Finishing with a Harry Champion song, Worse Things Happen At Sea, Jackson deserved the applause that was rained upon him as he once again delivered a performance that had both entertained and surprised.