Concert reviews
This page was last updated 6 June 2026. To send additions/corrections go to the contact page.
This page was last updated 6 June 2026. To send additions/corrections go to the contact page.
Los Angeles Daily News (US), 3 June 2026 – Los Angeles, CA, The Orpheum, 2 June 2026
The Georgia Straight (CA), 5 June 2026 – Vancouver, Vogue Theatre, 27 May 2026
The Oakland Press (US), 16 May 2026 – Detroit, MI, Masonic Jack White Theatre, 17 May 2026
The Globe and Mail (CA), 16 May 2026 – Toronto, Danforth Music Hall, 14 May 2026
nextmag.ca, 16 May 2026 – Toronto, Danforth Music Hall, 14 May 2026
FamilleRock.com (CA), 14 May 2026 – Montreal, Place des Arts, 13 May 2026
Daily Telegraph (UK), 18 Oct. 2024 – London, Alexandra Palace, 17 Oct. 2024
Record Collector (UK), Dec. 2024 – Portsmouth (UK), Guildhall, 10 Oct. 2024
Brighton Source (UK), 9 Oct. 2024 – Brighton, Dome, 6 Oct. 2024
"We can't imagine another performer being able to, or even contemplating, pulling off a show like this but this was a triumph and a great homage to the pop music of over a hundred years ago"BroadwayWorld.com, 27 May 2024 – Columbus, OH, Davidson Theatre, 26 May 2024
"When Jackson traded in his blue sportscoat and slacks for a purple top hat and overcoat for the second half of the show, it was like the singer shed his skin. Being backed by a talented nine-piece orchestra and assuming the character of Max Champion seemed to breathe new life into the singer."
weblog.nl (NL) 3 Nov 2012 – Amsterdam, Melkweg, 2 Nov 2012
WakeUpNews (IT) 1 Nov 2012 – Rome, Auditorium Parco della Musica, 31 Oct 2012
Michele Righini Blog (IT) 31 Oct 2012 – Milan, Teatro Nazionale, 29 Oct 2012
Bietigheimer Zeitung (DE) 18 Oct 2012 – Ludwigsburg, Forum am Schlosspark, 18 Oct 2012
General-Anzeiger (DE) 18 Oct 2012 – Cologne, Theater am Tanzbrunnen, 16 Oct 2012
The Los Angeles Beat (US) 8 Oct 2012 – Los Angeles, CA, Orpheum Theatre, 6 Oct 2012
JSOnline.com (US) 30 Sept 2012 – Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater, 29 Sept 2012
Rock Chicago Magazine (US) 28 Sept 2012 – Chicago, IL, Vic Theatre, 28 Sept 2012
AnnArbor.com (US) 28 Sept 2012 – Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan Theater, 24 Sept 2012
Oakland Press (US) 28 Sept 2012 – Ann Arbor, MI, Michigan Theater, 24 Sept 2012
SoundSpike (US) 24 Sept 2012 – New York, NY, Town Hall, 22 Sept 2012
Examiner.com (US) 28 Sept 2012 – New York, NY, Town Hall, 21 Sept 2012
Boston Globe (US) 21 Sept 2012 – Boston, MA, Wilbur Theatre, 19 Sept 2012
Standard Time (US) 20 Sept 2012 – Boston, MA, Wilbur Theatre, 19 Sept 2012
DCMetroTheatreArts.com (US) 19 Sept 2012 – North Bethesda, MD, Music Center at Strathmore, 15 Sept 2012
Die Presse (AT) 8 July 2009 – Vienna, WUK Saal, 7 July 2009
BirGün (TR) 6 July 2009 – Istanbul, İstanbul Modern, 4 July 2009
Jerusalem Post (IL) 7 July 2009 – Tel Aviv, Hangar 11, 2 July 2009
Israelity website (IL) 5 July 2009 – Tel Aviv, Hangar 11, 2 July 2009
Il Giornale del Friuli Libero (IT) 30 June 2009 – Pordenone, Fiera della Musica, 28 June 2009
24 minutes (CH) 28 June 2009 – Lausanne, Les Docks, 27 June 2009
La Voix du Nord (FR) 26 June 2009 – Lille, Théàtre Sébastopol, 25 June 2009
Orange County Register (US) 18 Oct 2008 – Anaheim, CA, The Grove, 17 Oct 2008
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (US) 22 April 2008 – Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater, 21 April 2008
Songlines (US) 17 April 2008 – New York, NY, Apollo Theater, 15 April 2008
Montreal Gazette (CA) 3 April 2008 – Montreal, Metropolis, 2 April 2008
Jam! (CA) 2 April 2008 – Toronto, The Music Hall, 1 April 2008
Regioactive (DE) 15 March 2008 – Mainz, Phönixhalle, 13 March 2008
Main-Spitze (DE) 15 March 2008 – Mainz, Phönixhalle, 13 March 2008
Hamburger Abendblatt (DE) 12 March 2008 – Hamburg, Fabrik, 10 March 2008
Die Welt (DE) 12 March 2008 – Hamburg, Fabrik, 10 March 2008
FairHearing (UK) 6 March 2008 – London, Shepherds Bush Empire, 2 March 2008
The Times (UK) 4 March 2008 – London, Shepherds Bush Empire, 2 March 2008
The Guardian (UK) 4 March 2008 – London, Shepherds Bush Empire, 2 March 2008
Irish Independent (IE) 3 March 2008 – Dublin, Olympia Theatre, 29 Feb 2008
The Independent (UK) 1 June 2007 – London, Carling Academy Islington, 24 May 2007
RockTimes (DE) 26 July 2006 – Mainz, Frankfurter Hof, 15 July 2006
Santa Cruz Sentinel (US) 24 May 2005 – Redwood City, CA, Little Fox, 21 May 2005
Hollywood Reporter (US) 19 May 2005 – Los Angeles, CA, Wilshire Theatre, 17 May 2005
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (US) 15 May 2005 – Milwaukee, WI, Pabst Theater, 13 May 2005
Akron Beacon Journal (US) 4 May 2005 – Cleveland, OH, Playhouse Square Center, 3 May 2005
The Star-Ledger (US) 29 April 2005 – New York, NY, Beacon Theatre, 27 April 2005
News & Record (US) 23 April 2005 – Greensboro, NC, War Memorial Auditorium, 20 April 2005
St. Petersburg Times (US) 16 April 2005 – Clearwater, FL, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 15 April 2005
ABC - DIG (AU) 11 Sept 2003 – Melbourne, Palais Theatre, 11 Sept 2003
Undercover Music News (AU) 12 Sept 2003 – Melbourne, Palais Theatre, 11 Sept 2003
Stuttgarter Zeitung (DE) 18 July 2003 – Stuttgart, Freilichtbühne Killesberg, 16 July 2003
Eßlinger Zeitung (DE) 17 July 2003 – Stuttgart, Freilichtbühne Killesberg, 16 July 2003
The New York Times (US) 16 April 2003 – New York, Bowery Ballroom, 13 April 2003
Billboard (US) 15 April 2003 – New York, Irving Plaza, 11 April 2003
Washington Post (US) 8 April 2003 – Washington, DC, 9:30 Club, 7 April 2003
San Francisco Chronicle (US) 6 April 2003 – San Francisco, Fillmore, 24 March 2003
Star-Telegram (US) 17 March 2003 – Dallas, Deep Ellum Live, 16 March 2003
New York Post (US) 13 March 2003 – New York, Mercury Lounge, 11 March 2003
"Tuesday's performance was killer, from the 'Look Sharp!' opener through Jackson's fiery shouts of 'I'm The Man' which made you want to shout back, 'Yes you are!' [...] But playing the hits was the easy part. Where he and the band gambled and won was with the new material off this week's release, 'Volume 4.' "
Guardian (UK) 19 Feb 2001 – London, Royal Festival Hall, 17 Feb 2001
dotmusic (UK) 21 Feb 2001 – London, Royal Festival Hall, 17 Feb 2001
Die Welt (DE) 8 Jan 2001 – Leipzig, Gewandhaus, 6 Jan 2001
Boston Herald (US) 17 Dec 2000 – Boston, Orpheum Theatre, 16 Dec 2000
Lawrence Journal-World (US) 7 Dec 2000 – Lawrence, KS, Liberty Hall, 7 Dec 2000
RollingStone.com (US) 5 Dec 2000 – Atlanta, GA, Roxy Theatre, 2 Dec 2000
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (US) 11 Aug 1999 – West Palm Beach, FL, Carefree Theatre, 30 Nov 2000
The Village Voice (US) 11 Aug 1999 – New York, Joe's Pub, 5(?) Aug 1999
New York Post (US) 6 Aug 1999 – New York, Joe's Pub, 4 Aug 1999
New York Observer (US) 19 July 1999 – New York, Bottom Line, 12 July 1999
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (DE) 4 April 1998 – Frankfurt, Sendesaal des Hessischen Rundfunks, 2 April 1998Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (DE) 1 April 1998 – Cologne, Gürzenich, 30 March 1998
Süddeutsche Zeitung (DE) 31 March 1998 – Munich, Prinzregententheater, 29 March 1998
Chicago Tribune (US) 18 Feb 1998 – Chicago, Park West, 16/17 Feb 1998
Hamburger Morgenpost (DE) 13 Dec 1997 – Hamburg, Musikhalle, 11 Dec 1997
The Times (UK) 10 Dec 1997, p. 38 – London, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7/8 Dec 1997
The Independent (UK) 10 Dec 1997, Eye on Wednesday, p. 4 – London, Queen Elizabeth Hall, 7/8 Dec 1997
New York Times (US) 13 Nov 1997 – New York, Supper Club, 10 Nov 1997
New York Newsday (US) 12 Nov 1997 – New York, Supper Club, 10 Nov 1997
The Weekend Australian (AU) 22-23 Nov 1997 – New York, Supper Club, 10 Nov 1997
Toronto Sun (CA) 8 Nov 1997 – Toronto, Phoenix Concert Theatre, 6 Nov 1997
Los Angeles Times (US) 4 Nov 1997 – Los Angeles, El Rey Theatre, 2 Nov 1997
Vancouver Sun (CA) 27 April 1995, p. C6 – Vancouver, Orpheum Theatre, 25 April 1995
"Joe Jackson may have been losing the battle with a throat infection Tuesday night, but he definitely won the crowd. Coughing, sneezing and finally losing his voice halfway through 'Breaking Us In Two,' Jackson showed the kind of courage that most performers seem to lose once they've reached a certain status. After all, who wants to show their weakness to the masses."Calgary Herald (CA) 24 April 1995 – Calgary, Jack Singer Hall, 23 April 1995
Manchester Evening News (UK) 30 Jan 1995 – Manchester, Free Trade Hall, 28 Jan 1995
The Times (UK) 23 Jan 1995, p. 15 – London, Hammersmith Apollo, 21 Jan 1995
"Night Music came to life in a delightful piece of illustrative performance in which Jackson introduced 'The Man Who Wrote Danny Boy' by recounting his efforts to find out why 'Danny Boy' is his favourite song. He talked us entertainingly through the classic ballad, explaining its modulations and minor chords like the hip music teacher you never had."Guardian (UK) 23 Jan 1995, p. II/10 – London, Hammersmith Apollo, 21 Jan 1995
Le Monde (FR) 19 Jan 1995, p. 33 – Paris, Casino de Paris, 16 Jan 1995
Q (UK) March 1995, p. 145 – Guildford, Civic Hall, 14 Jan 1995
Los Angeles Times (US) 16 Dec 1994, p. F-14 – Los Angeles, Wiltern Theatre, 14 Dec 1994
San Francisco Chronicle (US) 14 Dec 1994, p. E1 – San Francisco, The Warfield, 12 Dec 1994
New York Times (US) – New York, Beacon Theatre, 28? Nov 1994
Musik-Express/Sounds (DE) July 1991, p. 64 – Frankfurt, Alte Oper, 19 May 1991
Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich (DE) 20 Oct 1989, p. 48 – Munich, Deutsches Museum, 18 Oct 1989
East Coast Rocker (US) 6 Sep 1989 – New York, Beacon Theatre, 8 Aug 1989
New York Times (US) 20 July 1986, p. I/42 – New York, Radio City Music Hall, 17 July 1986
New Musical Express (UK) 7 June 1986, p. 47 – London, Wembley Arena, 24 May 1986
The Times (UK) 26 May 1986, p. 15 – London, Wembley Arena, 24 May 1986
Musik-Express/Sounds (DE) April 1986 – New York, Sounds of Brazil, 2 Jan 1986
New York Times (US) 5 Jan 1986, p. I/47 – New York, Sounds of Brazil, 2 Jan 1986
East Coast Rocker (US) 27 July 1984 – New York, Madison Square Garden, 21 June 1984
"Jackson thanked 'all of you who have supported me over the last six years, those of you who have been with me since we played the Bottom Line.' This was not your typical monologue at the end of a show – this was a man who has made the decision to call it quits. Whether or not he stays out is another matter – time will tell."New Musical Express (UK) 5 May 1984
Musik-Express/Sounds (DE) 6/84 – Offenbach, Stadthalle, 26 April 1984
Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich (DE) 27 April 1984, p. 39 – Munich, Circus Krone, 24 April 1984
The Sunday Times (UK) 15 April 1984, p. 39 – Birmingham, 8 April 1984
New Musical Express (UK) 22 Jan 1983, p. 33 – London, Hammersmith Odeon, 11 Jan 1983
The Sunday Times (UK) 16 Jan 1983, p. 42 – Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall, 10 Jan 1983
New York Times (US) 29 Aug 1982, p. 60 – New York, Pier 84, 27 Aug 1982
New Musical Express (UK) 28 Aug 1982, p. 46 – London, Hammersmith Odeon
Musik-Express (DE) Sep 1982 – London, Dominion Theatre
New Musical Express (UK) 10 Jul 1982, p. 39 – London, Dominion Theatre
New Musical Express (UK) 5 Dec 1981
The Times (UK) 8 Sep 1981, p. 8 – London, Hammersmith Palais, 6 Sept 1981
New Musical Express (UK) 18 July 1981
The Sunday Times (UK) 5 July 1981, p. 41 – London, The Venue, 30 June 1981
Musik-Express (DE) Jan 1981 – Hamburg, Audimax, 21 Nov 1980
New Musical Express (UK) 1 Nov 1980, p. 56 – Belfast, Ulster Hall, 20 Oct 1980
New Musical Express (UK) 14 June 1980
Muziekkrant Oor (NL) 9 April 1980, p. 43 – Eindhoven, Karregat, 22 March 1980
New Musical Express (UK) 8 March 1980, pp. 49,55 – London, Hammersmith Palais, Feb 1980
"Still, despite a power failure at the end, for sheer class and pure streamlined scathing delivery, the Jackson Band can scarce be beat. This is a great gig, and with entry restricted to 2,500, it's a sell-out."Melody Maker (UK) 8 March 1980 – London, Hammersmith Palais, Feb 1980
"I liked [the way] he wrecked all the audience's preconceptions by announcing he wasn't going to play 'Different For Girls' because 'you've heard it enough on the radio and you're probably sick of it.' Instead he would concentrate more on new, unrecorded material."New Musical Express (UK) 8 Dec 1979, p. 54 – Birmingham, Top Rank, 27 Nov 1979
"Then he goes over the top, chucks a stool at the drum kit, douses the audience with the remains of the bottle of beer that he's been swigging all evening and finally trudges off sweating and drained."Sounds (DE) March 1980, p. 15 – Los Angeles, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 9 Nov 1979
New Musical Express (UK) 8 July 1979, p. 52 – Liverpool, Eric's, 29 July 1979
Melody Maker (UK) 8 July 1979 – Sheffield, The Limit, 28 June 1979
"Finally, two distinctive encores, of the Maytals' 'Pressure Drop' (which made the Clash's similar effort sound lame in comparison) and Fats Domino's 'Ain't That A Shame,' put the icing on the best gig in Sheffield for 15 months."New Musical Express (UK) 5 May 1979, p. 56 – New York
Melody Maker (UK) 7 April 1979, p. 39 – London, The Venue
"He should forget that uncomfortable looking pin-stripe suit, though. It's not a very good joke, and it sets up an unnecessary constraint on his energetic style."
Melody Maker (UK) 3 Feb 1979, p. 27 – supporting Ian Gomm, London, Hope & Anchor, 23 Jan 1979
Melody Maker (UK) 13 Jan 1979, p. 27 – London, Hope & Anchor, Jan 1979
"Bringing Ian Gomm on stage for the three encores, which included a riotous version of 'Come On,' was an added bonus."New Musical Express (UK) 13 Jan 1979