The Jam are legends. Everyone has had a boogie to ‘Town Called Malice’ or a hearty singalong to ‘Going Underground’. From The Jam are one third real deal, two thirds tribute act. Jam bassist Bruce Foxton leads the group, alongside a few other musicians to fill out the band.

Promptly at 8.30pm, the band came on stage to a less than half full O2 academy. The average age in the room was about 50, but don’t let that fool you; they were ready to party. During hits ‘In the City’ and ‘Eton Rifles’, the crowd were going absolutely crazy.

It was a pleasure to see the old songs still trigger such elation in a group of people. Bruce clearly still has a passion for the songs he helped write all those years ago, showing that the gig isn’t just a clinical, moneymaking venture.

They relentlessly blasted through all the hits as any good tribute act should. A highlight was ‘That’s Entertainment’, which gained the biggest singalong of the night. There was very little in the way of crowd interaction. But what they lacked in that department, they made up for in energy. Bruce was jumping around the stage as if he was still twenty one. The band could not have sounded more perfect if they tried.

From the Jam put on a captivating performance more a tip of the hat to the original group than a tacky reproduction. Now that’s entertainment.

Ben Roberts

Image: Derek D’Souza