From The Jam and The Selecter: Live gig review!

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

FROM THE JAM and THE SELECTER: Live!  BRIGHTON DOME 13.12.2021

Two Bands celebrating 40th Anniversaries: From The Jam “Sound Affects” and The Selecter “Too Much Pressure” gig review and pics!

From The Jam

It has been many a year since I first saw The Jam, in fact I was on their road-crew in Edinburgh when they played a small venue called Clouds in July back in 1977! All Around The World was the single out at that time. Told you it was a while ago!

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I reckoned that if I had closed my eyes during the earlier material from the evening I could imagine I was listening to the original line up from those early years – there – I have said it! That may upset purists but From The Jam nailed a brilliant show, thrilled a few hundred people and continue to re-ignite my personal love for The Jam music. All packed into one of my favourite venues, Brighton Dome.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

If anyone can sound like those original classics and give a similar jaw dropping performance to some of those original records Russell is the man to do it! Bruce Foxton just didn’t stop, he kept on working alongside the drums and percussion to give the full on Jam, and From The Jam, experience. He changed guitars, sang his heart out and gave us a few of his legendary jumps.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

This tour marked the 40th Anniversary Tour of the album Sound Affects. This tour had been rescheduled due to the pandemic a couple of times, but here we are. Gathered again in large numbers for an evening of pure nostalgia. The set included songs not heard live for a long time. The opening notes of Pretty Green were met with huge cheers as the guys took up their positions. The guys were loud, fast and damned tight. Russell Hastings giving a great vocal work out to the old and new material, with Bruce Foxton taking over the occasional vocal duty and contributing to some of the audience directed chat.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Hastings informed us that the tour had been booked up missing Brighton. That wasn’t going to happen he said and was greeted by a huge cheer! He told us he wanted it to be a Saturday night. and this Monday night was the only one that could fit. He said he was a little sad because the pandemic caused folk to stay away. There were a few empty seats. But hell – we were all there and he instructed us to party like it was a Saturday night! We did!!

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I had last seen From The Jam when they played two nights in Brighton and I was lucky enough to get to cover both nights.

Pretty Green – That’s Entertainment – Boy About Town – But I’m Different Now – Start!

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The bassist, Bruce Foxton from the original band and Jam fan Russell Hastings is at the front ensuring this musical history of songs are treated with respect. These are the sound effects and tracks of many of the lives of those in attendance. And he, the 66 year old Bruce Foxton still manages a jump with bass guitar firmly in hand.That’s Entertainment and Start! tucked into the opening set segue kept the crowd truly bouncing.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Set The House Ablaze – Monday – Dream Time – Man In The Corner Shop – Town Called Malice.

From the Jam clearly know their audience, recognising that everyone will not know (me included!) all the tracks. Therefore, the inclusion of those recognised classics was necessary and included frequently through out the set keeping everyone happy and That’s Entertainment.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The set was jam packed with songs from the complete back-catalogue. From The Jam belted out the hits of yester-year with a fistful of attitude, punch and power. They sounded and looked great!

To Be Someone – The Butterfly Collector – David Watts – Saturday’s Kids – Love Is Like A Heat Wave – Down In The Tube Station At Midnight.

From The Jam: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The crowd had come to revel in memories, escape Covid and just to pogo along with Foxton’s massive bassline on A Town Called Malice and the cover of The Kinks David Watts. This really was a dream gig and so good to be out with a room full of music lovers once again. And tight. That band is tight.

Strange Town – The Eton Rifles – ENCORE: In The City – Ghosts – Going Underground

The set came to a close, that’s a blisteringly cracking line up of material! A pretty frantic In The City had The Dome bouncing and the class Going Underground. They announced they will be back to mark the 40th anniversary of the final ever gig of The Jam at The Brighton Centre. Watch this space for more!

The Selecter

The Selecter: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

Pauline Black and fellow members of The Selecter were one of the most successful Ska bands from back in the Two Tone era. After some 40 years on from their initial formation and gigging, they are still a top notch class act.

The Avengers Theme – Three Minute Hero – Out On The Streets – Time Hard

The Selecter: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

I never saw The Selecter back in the day. I was punk and punk only back in the 70’s. I didn’t see any of the two tone bands and tours. I do remember seeing them on Top Of The Pops and live on the Old Grey Whistle Test.

There is clearly a whole lot of love for The Selecter judging by the early arrivals in The Dome. The Selecter’s longevity I think is due to their clear dedication and commitment to having a huge party on stage! They created a unique atmosphere all topped off with that wonderful rich sound. Pauline Black still very much runs the show, with “Gaps” as her on stage partner, with the original drummer Charlie Bembridge.

The Selecter: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The first album was pulled into the set considerably, check out the set list! They played so many songs in the short time they were on stage. Pauline was an absolute cracker on stage and what a voice!

Frontline – Murder – Missing Words – Danger

They played it hard and they were so tight. We were treated to a most satisfying and energetic performance. It was a terrific hour-long set!

The Selecter: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

The Dome was skanking it up and singing along word for word with Pauline. The Selecter were playing a strong set. Gaps and Pauline had the crowd in their hands from the get go. The set so far had left its mark on the Brighton crowd, but as the set progressed they proved that this was only the beginning!

Street Feeling – Train To Skaville – James Bond Theme – Carry Go Bring Come

The party continued as The Selecter kept it going! They played hit after hit  and it was being relished by the crowd. Pauline Black did not stop smiling was clearly loving every minute on stage and dancing along with Gaps and the guys.

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Encore: On My Radio – Too Much Pressure / Pressure Drop

The Selecter: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex

And Finally…

If you are a lover of all things mod and a mix of 70’s punk and Ska then do not miss the double A Side presentation From The Jam and The Selecter. This was a great night spent down memory lane and I can 100% confirm this night did not disappoint!

Thanks and love to the guys of From The Jam and The Selecter. Thanks to the staff at The Dome.

Words and photos – Ian Bourn, Scene Sussex.

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