26 April 2024 (gig)
29 April 2024
It’s incredible to think that this Johnny Hates Jazz tour is their first ever headline tour.
As lead singer Clark Datchler says himself, the band were not around long enough for a tour in the 80s.
However, their star shone bright in the 80s, and they managed to clock up a string of unforgettable hit singles, a No 1 hit album and a huge fanbase. Since reuniting in 2009, Clark and Mike Nocito have produced acclaimed new music (albums Magnetised and Wide Awake), bringing Johnny Hates Jazz back in full force and a renewed appreciation among fans.
Their gig in Hertford Corn Exchange was an intimate setting at the start of their Johnny Hates Jazz In Concert tour, and gave fans a chance to get up close to the music, as well as meet the ever-friendly band after the gig.
They kicked off the gig with the very aptly named New Day Ahead, taken from the 2020 Wide Awake album, bringing an opening zest and positivity to the venue. It’s such a great song, that sounds like a classic from back in the 80s, even though it’s only four years old. Definitely one of our favourites from the night and a musical saviour during lockdown, which is when the song was produced.
As the gig unfolded, Clark revealed to the audience that he had spent a lot of time during his childhood near Hertford and that he was happy that his family had come along to watch him on the night, making it a real family occasion.
The first set included a mixture of old and new, with classic tracks from Turn Back the Clock including Foolish Heart and Don’t Say It’s Love, as well as the title track which Clark dedicated to his family. New songs included Don’t Stop The Music and Wide Awake.
The band returned for the second set with another classic from their debut album – Heart of Gold, a song that encapsulates the 80s vibe and is pure gold for fans.
A real poignant moment during the gig was when Clark paid tribute to his dad, a successful jazz musician whose band The StarGazers are credited with being the first British band to have a No1 hit record in the UK Charts.
Before singing Ghost of Love, he told the crowd: “My dad encouraged me a huge amount when he knew I wanted to be in music until he heard the name of the band! And then he didn’t speak to me for a month! But he was a great supporter.”
The band also played more hits from Turn Back The Clock, including I Don’t Want to Be a Hero, the song that Clark described as his favourite from that album.
Speaking to the audience, Clark said: “We have huge respect for the brave men and women who serve in our armed forces, very courageous people. This song is directed at the people who sometimes put their precious lives into harm’s way.”
Other songs included Magnetised and Spirit of Love which was released during the Pandemic and sparked a memorable video of fans worldwide expressing their own messages of love at that challenging time.
The rendition of Lighthouse got the “woahing” audience in good voice, singing along in unison to the catchy chorus. Another gem from the Johnny Hates Jazz catalogue.
Such a fantastic night of top-notch music and a great band, that included keyboardist Georgie Ford, guitarist Nick Keeble, drummer Dan Weston and of course original member Mike Nocito, bassist, producer and engineer.
Johnny Hates Jazz closed the show with their global hit Shattered Dreams, putting right the shattered dreams of original JHJ fans whose wait has been rewarded with both a rich back catalogue and an ever-growing collection of new classics.
