05 December 2025 (gig)
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It was a case of That’s Entertainment from Start! to finish when From The Jam brought the classic Jam hits to The Cambridge Junction.
On its 45th anniversary Sound Affects tour, From The Jam brought some mod magic to fans, performing songs from The Jam’s fifth studio album, released in 1980.
Among the many gems of the album which peaked at number 2 in the UK album charts were Dream Time, Boy About Town, the foot stomping Pretty Green and Set the House Ablaze.
The album, which also featured chart-topping hit Start! and enduring classic, That’s Entertainment, was the last of The Jam albums to be produced by Vic Coppersmith-Heaven, after a run of producing four successful albums for the band between 1977 and 1980.
Other notable songs from the album performed on the night included Man in the Corner Shop, whose class divide narrative feels just as relevant today as it did almost five decades ago. The uplifting song But I’m Different Now, brought fans right back with Weller’s lyrics, “I know I’ve done some things that I should never have done, but I’m different now and I’m proud that you’re my girl.”
Just months after original Jam bassist Bruce Foxton retired from the band, replaced by the talented Gary Simons, From The Jam are determined to carry on Setting the House Ablaze for loyal fans, both in the UK and abroad.
Gary joins long-term members, lead singer and guitarist Russell Hastings, keyboardist Andy Fairclough and drummer Mike Randon, who are all keeping the music from The Jam alive, as well as performing their own material.
Dedicating Smithers-Jones to Bruce Foxton, who penned the song which features on The Jam’s 1979 Setting Sons album, and the B-side of When You’re Young, Russell told the crowd: “I’m gonna play this next song for a very close and dear friend of ours, this one’s for Brucie!”
Earlier in the show Russell paid homage to another dear friend – The Jam’s late great drummer Rick Buckler - whose photo has formed a backdrop to the stage since his sad passing in February. Wishing Rick a happy heavenly 70th, Russell said: “A very happy birthday for tomorrow to the wonderful Mr Rick Buckler! Top man!”
Receiving cheers from the crowd, the band then performed Monday from the Sound Affects album, a slow and melodic love song which really demonstrated Weller’s songwriting versatility.
As well as celebrating Sound Effects, From The Jam took the audience on a jam-tastic trip down memory lane, playing top hits such as Town Called Malice, When You're Young, the laid-back Shopping and exuberant To Be Someone (Didn't We Have a Nice Time).
Saturday's Kids always goes down a treat with the old kids in the crowd, another favourite in the band’s arsenal, with great lyrics to reminisce with, and a beat to spark the moshpit into action.
Having asked the crowd to shout out some requests, the band happily played Lula, already a classic despite being just three years old, featuring on the last From The Jam album, The Butterfly Effect, released in 2022.
Any From The Jam gig wouldn’t be complete without Russ urging the audience to get on their dancing shoes for an always electric Heat Wave, the Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ Jam cover.
As always Down in the Tube Station at Midnight upped the tempo and got the moshers moshing, ahead of a rousing encore of In the City, Going Underground and The Eton Rifles.
Another absolute whistlestop tour of The Jam back catalogue, all delivered with Russell’s on point vocals and a band whose energy shows no sign of fading. By the time the final chords rang out, it was clear that From The Jam remain not just faithful custodians of Weller, Foxton and Buckler’s legacy, but a vibrant force in their own right. Their passion, precision and genuine affection for the music continue to ignite audiences old and new, proving once again that these songs - decades on - still strike with undiminished power. As fans spilled out into the Cambridge night, there was no doubt: this was another reminder that The Jam’s spirit is alive, loud and very much kicking.
