Johnny Hates Jazz – live in Poole

Johnny Hates Jazz in the Theatre at The Lighthouse, Poole (5.10.2024)

A bit of 80s nostalgia. I say nostalgia – I didn’t remember them aside from the appealing name…..until I heard the songs off course. THE songs leapt out when I put their greatest hits album on Spotify. (We can knock Spotify, but I wouldn’t be here without having had a Spotify reminder.)

Three top twenty singles in 1987 and one in 1988. These are, to jog some memories: Shattered Dreams; I Don’t Want To Be A Hero; Turn Back The Clock and Heart Of  Gold. Their big album was in 1988, Turn Back The Clock (a UK number 1 album). As soon as these songs are played the reactions are intensified. That’s not to say the other material isn’t appreciated but those songs are just so familiar to the casual Johnny Hates Jazz listener.

I have never seen them before and this opportunity may have passed me by, but for interest from our visiting Plymouth gig buddies.

Johnny Hates Jazz play as a five-piece tonight but the original core of this short-lived late 80s band are Clark Datchler who is lead singer, spokeman, keyboardist and songwriter, and bassist and producer Mike Nocito. Datchler gets behind some keyboards for some early half songs but the touring band has a keyboardist, drummer and gutarist, giving a really full sound, while still gentle and poppy.

Clark and Mike both continued their careers in music but not playing or recording as Johnny Hates Jazz.

I was expecting to possibly see just a duo and the gig to be more minimalist and quiet. It was in the theatre (not the main auditorium) and the first time I’ve seen a band in here, with its steep sloping seating (669 capacity and it’s mostly full) and cosy feel. I’ve seen comedians, chat shows, ballet, panto and some Covid well spaced out gigs but never a normal band gig in here.

We’re in the front row so a wonderful way to experience my first Johnny Hates Jazz gig. I occasionally look round to check the view and what people are up to.

Clark Datchler engages with chat to contextualise some songs. It’s a pop history to be proud of and he’s enjoys reflecting.

The set is in two halves and my post-gig setlist grab gives the split.

As you would expect, the second half builds, with more audience participation encouraged, until by the end and Shattered Dreams (echo Shattered Dreams) everyone is up.

After that final song Datchler asks for a band selfie – the result looks like a less relaxed scene than in fact it was for most of the gig. I can’t imagine anyone not going home happy from this one.