Joe Jackson, Max Champion, and The Chap
Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 14:00 
I’m going to see Joe Jackson tonight.
Joe is playing at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, a Grade II listed building that was originally opened in 1875.
As corn trading declined, it’s been used for all manner of events, including motor shows, concerts, and exhibitions, not to mention boxing, wrestling, and roller skating.
David Bowie is said to have played there in 1966, followed by The Who (1969), Johnny Cash (1988), Take That (1992), Oasis (1994), Adele (2008), and many, many more.
Joining that list is Joe Jackson who, as I wrote here, recently celebrated his 70th birthday.
Joe’s current tour, which began in the US before transferring to Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and now the UK), features a solo set followed by a performance of songs by the ‘forgotten music hall genius Max Champion’ that feature on Joe’s latest album, ‘What A Racket!’.
The latter will be performed by a nine-piece band so I’m looking forward to it.
I’m also curious to experience the Corn Exchange because, while I’ve walked past it many, many times, I’ve never been inside.
Details of the remaining shows in the current tour can be found here.
Joe also features in the current edition of The Chap magazine where he talks about fashion, music, cocktails, and smoking.
If you’re not familiar with The Chap it’s a humorous lifestyle magazine that was launched 25 years ago and has been edited ever since by the impressively named Gustav Temple.
In 2001 Forest joined forces with The Chap and together we hosted a party on a moored vessel on the Thames Embankment close to Blackfriars Bridge.
Writing about it later, I commented:
When I first saw the boat, in daylight, I was unimpressed. It was big, with a large outside area, but it looked and felt like a rusty old hulk. Gustav, however, loved it. To him it was a blank canvas and he saw its potential.
To be honest, I don't remember much about the actual event apart from the fact that it was on a Saturday night and the boat was heaving with 200-300 people (many of them dressed in Chap-style clothes).
I do remember that Gustav and his colleagues did a magnificent job decorating the boat and at one point there was a "smoking competition" that involved five people, each one puffing on a cigarette using a cigarette holder.
The winner was the person who smoked their cigarette in the fastest time. It was silly yet hilarious to watch. (I don't think health and safety would allow it now.)
A single digital edition of The Chap featuring Joe Jackson can be purchased for £7.99 from pocketmags.com or you can subscribe to the magazine by visiting this page.
See also: Just dandy (Taking Liberties, June 2020)
Update: Joe Jackson review — this was one of the gigs of the year (The Times). I think they liked it.
Further update: No sooner had I posted this than I got an email from the Corn Exchange – tonight's show is cancelled due to illness!!!
Reader Comments (2)
We too were looking forward to the Joe Jackson gig. Must to 40 years since we saw him and we were intrigued by the structure and heartened by the Times review. Oh well, worse things happen at sea.
As to the Corn Exchange, you’re not missing much. It’s a bit of a barn, lacking even the distinctive (but terrifying) rake of its Stamford namesake.
Glad it’s there as it attracts artists that are too big for the Junction / Stables in MK / Apex in Bury but the acoustics aren’t marvellous and if in seated configuration (the main floor stalls area seats can be removed) the stalls are quite uncomfortable.
Thanks for the feedback! Disappointed not to see the show, though. If Alexandra Palace (another venue I haven’t been to) was easier to get to I’d go there.