#

The Jam

Live Performances by The Jam in 1981

  • In January 1981, The Jam was riding high on the success of their critically acclaimed album "Setting Sons," which was released in late 1979. This peri... Read Full Description >

    In January 1981, The Jam was riding high on the success of their critically acclaimed album "Setting Sons," which was released in late 1979. This period marked a pivotal point in their career, as they transitioned from punk sounds to a more polished, mod-influenced rock style. The live performance captured in "The Jam Live - Tales From The Riverbank" showcases the band's energetic stage presence and strong songwriting, with lead singer Paul Weller delivering incisive lyrics reflective of working-class Britain. Notably, The Jam were known for their sharp social commentary, which resonated with fans and solidified their status as one of the key bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s. This performance would have been just before the release of their subsequent album, "Sound Affects," which further evolved their sound and cemented their legacy in the British music scene.

The Jam Live in Concert: Full Concert Performance in Paris

Paris, France

January 1, 1981 | Video Length: 20:11
Watch Now
  • In January 1981, The Jam was on the cusp of significant acclaim, having just released their fourth studio album, "Setting Sons," in late 1979. This pe... Read Full Description >

    In January 1981, The Jam was on the cusp of significant acclaim, having just released their fourth studio album, "Setting Sons," in late 1979. This period marked a turning point for the band, as they began to gain broader recognition beyond the UK, which is evident during their live performance in Paris captured in the video. Notably, the setlist includes tracks like "Eton Rifles," a staple of their repertoire that exemplifies their punk-inspired style combined with social commentary, and "Butterfly Collector," showcasing their melodic prowess. By this time, The Jam had solidified their identity as one of the leading bands of the punk and mod revival movements, experimenting with new sounds while maintaining their strong lyrical focus. The Paris concert illustrates their energetic stage presence and the growing international appeal that would lead to their successful albums in the early '80s, including "Sound Affects."

  • In January 1981, The Jam were experiencing a significant phase in their career, following the release of their fifth studio album, "Setting Sons," whi... Read Full Description >

    In January 1981, The Jam were experiencing a significant phase in their career, following the release of their fifth studio album, "Setting Sons," which had come out in September 1979. This period highlights their rise in popularity, marked by a unique blend of punk and mod influences. Notably, "Pretty Green," the song featured in the live recording, encapsulates the band's signature sound and was part of the evolving thematic content they delved into during this time, particularly touching on socio-political themes. The performance from 1981 showcases their energetic style and growing mastery of the live setting. Interestingly, this era also saw The Jam starting to craft songs that would define their later works, leading up to their eventual transition towards more mature and reflective lyrical content in subsequent albums.

The Jam - Absolute Beginners Live at Radio 1's B15 Concert

Radio 1's B15
London, UK, United Kingdom

October 25, 1981 | Video Length: 2:44
Watch Now
  • On October 25, 1981, The Jam performed "Absolute Beginners" at Radio 1's B15 studio in London, a time marked by significant transition in their career... Read Full Description >

    On October 25, 1981, The Jam performed "Absolute Beginners" at Radio 1's B15 studio in London, a time marked by significant transition in their career. This live recording came shortly after the release of their album “Setting Sons," which was issued in 1979 and cemented their reputation in the punk and mod revival movement. By the time of this performance, The Jam was in the midst of promoting their fifth studio album, "The Gift," which would be released in March 1982. "Absolute Beginners," a single that would eventually become a classic, was notable for its sophisticated production and lyrical depth, reflecting a shift in the band's musical direction towards more refined and expansive soundscapes. Interestingly, this performance showcased not only their bustling energy but also the band's ability to adapt to the evolving musical landscape while still captivating their audience.

The Jam Live at the Orfeum Theatre Boston 1982 - Full Concert

Orfeum Theatre
Boston, MA, United States

November 30, 1981 | Video Length: 56:06
Watch Now
  • In November 1981, when The Jam performed at the Orfeum Theatre in Boston, they were at a pivotal moment in their career, poised on the cusp of interna... Read Full Description >

    In November 1981, when The Jam performed at the Orfeum Theatre in Boston, they were at a pivotal moment in their career, poised on the cusp of international acclaim. This live recording came shortly after the release of their album "Setting Sons," which debuted in the autumn of 1979 and was noted for its concept-driven tracks and social commentary. The Jam was experiencing growing popularity in the UK, and their energetic live performances were a testament to their dynamic stage presence. Interestingly, the concert in Boston marked one of their early forays into the American music scene, highlighting their ambition to expand their reach beyond the UK. This performance reflects not only the band's peak years but also their distinctive blend of punk and mod revival sounds that set them apart from contemporaries.