Saturday night at Rock City was a masterclass in how to honour a legacy without getting stuck in the past. From The Jam hit Nottingham as part of their “Setting Sons 45th Anniversary Tour”—and the result was a sold-out crowd of Fred Perry–clad fans singing every word like it still mattered. Because it does.
The show opened with a full front-to-back run of Setting Sons, The Jam’s 1979 post-punk masterpiece. Kicking off with the explosive “Little Boy Soldiers,” the band wasted no time laying down tight, punchy versions of classics like “Thick As Thieves,” “Private Hell,” and the ever-brilliant “Eton Rifles.” Russell Hastings was magnetic—vocally powerful, guitar locked in, and clearly still in love with these songs. He didn’t just perform them; he owned them.
Throughout the set, one chant kept rising between songs: “BRUUUUCE!” The anticipation built steadily until the moment finally came—Bruce Foxton took the stage for “Pretty Green,” and the place absolutely erupted. It was a proper hero’s welcome. With that unmistakable bassline and Foxton’s legendary presence now in the mix, the gig shifted up a gear. From that point on, it wasn’t just a great show—it was a celebration.
The final stretch was packed with fan favourites. “Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” was met with roars, “To Be Someone” and “David Watts” had the whole room bouncing, and “Going Underground” turned into a thunderous, unified sing-along. The chemistry between Foxton and Hastings was locked in, and the band behind them was tight and ferocious all night.
They closed with “Entertainment” and a feral, no-holds-barred version of “Malice,” leaving the crowd breathless and buzzing.
From The Jam aren’t here to coast on old glories. They’re keeping this music alive the only way it should be: loud, raw, and full of conviction. And Bruce? Worth the wait. Every time.