While waiting in line to enter the venue, I noticed a lady rocking an XTC Oranges & Lemons T-shirt. If you go to enough Joe Jackson concerts, you'll occasionally spot an XTC fan in the crowd. It's always exciting when it happens. Maybe it's just me, but I love seeing what band shirts people are wearing.
I scored this super cool poster and tote bag upon entering!
I was hoping to hear his rare cut, "When You're Not Around," but the setlist was still pretty stellar. Five songs were played from the new album: "Welcome to Burning-by-the-Sea," "I'm Not Sorry," "Fabulous People," "The Face," and "End of the Pier."
As far as the new tracks go, I heard all the ones I was hoping for. "Fabulous People" was, well, fabulous! It's kind of bouncy and incredibly fun, both live and on record.
"The Face" was another highlight. There's something hypnotic about it. The rhythm pulled me in immediately, and the song has a mysterious atmosphere that makes it stand out from the rest of the album. I love the lyrics and the groove, and hearing it performed live only made me appreciate it more.
"End of the Pier" was especially moving. Joe has described it as the saddest song on Hope and Fury, and after hearing it live, I can understand why. The song reflects on working-class life in England and touches on the aftermath of war, comparing lives separated by generations. It's reflective, nostalgic, and a little heartbreaking at times. Hearing it in concert gave the song an even greater emotional weight than it already has on the album.
I never thought I'd hear "Target" live. That's one of those deeper cuts that doesn't get played nearly as often as it did decades ago. "Target" then segued into a pulsating version of "Steppin' Out."
Toward the end of the night, Joe paid homage to David Bowie. He mentioned that Bowie's death was very unexpected, and I feel exactly the same way. He covered "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)," which I was privileged to hear live for the second time.
My favorite Joe Jackson song, "It's Different for Girls," was also played. That song is always welcome. It was also nice to hear him close out the set with "Hometown" from Big World, another longtime favorite of mine.
After the show, I met drummer extraordinaire Doug Yowell, who generously stopped for a photo with me. I also snapped a plethora of band photos throughout the evening.
Somehow—and I didn't notice until I got home—I lost my ankle bracelet. It was still on my ankle when my photo was taken right after the show ended. However, when I looked at the picture of myself beside the Hope and Fury promotional signage near the exit, it was gone. It must have slipped off somewhere in the lobby without me realizing it. That's exactly why I don't buy solid gold anklets. Mine never seem to survive for very long! Sorry to digress...
I skipped Record Store Day two months ago because the XTC Emerald City live vinyl was out of my price range. I absolutely love that album, though. I was also eyeing an Ozzy Osbourne collectible figure as a gift for someone, but it sold out within seconds on Record Store Day.
Sooooo, I opted for Joe's autographed Hope and Fury album instead! It cost a little under $30.00 and came with his signature. Now I have two Joe Jackson autographs—one from 2015 and one from 2026. Very cool! Not to mention, I've been playing the heck out of that album ever since.
Many thanks to Joe, Graham Maby, Teddy Kumpel, Doug Yowell, Paulo Stagnaro, Felipe Fournier, and everyone involved in making this tour such a memorable experience. The musicianship on display throughout the evening was exceptional. From the rock-solid rhythm section to the additional percussion textures provided throughout the set, every player contributed something special to the live arrangements.
If you're a longtime Joe Jackson fan—or even if you're only familiar with the hits—I highly recommend checking out Hope and Fury. It's one of his strongest albums in years, and the new material sounds fantastic live. The North American leg of the tour continues through July before Joe and the band head to Europe this fall. If they're coming anywhere near your city, do yourself a favor and grab a ticket. Pick up a copy of Hope and Fury, catch a show if you can, and help support great musicians making great music.
Here's hoping it won't be too long before the next one.
www.joejackson.com
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