Bruce Foxton and his All-Star Band live at The Crossing, Birmingham (23.1.2026) with Block 33 supporting.
A trip to Birmingham for a few gigs at The Crossing in Digbeth, south of the city centre. My first visit to this venue and I’m very impressed. A 600 standing capacity, with a couple of rows of seats at the back on tonight’s set up – looks like other options are available.
There is also an area off to the left of the main room with some tables and chairs, like a café, which can be used as a waiting area before or between bands.
The sound in this high ceiling, square auditorium is execellent. It is all part of a student complex for the South and City College. A modern facility in the post-industrial redeveloping heart of Digbeth. ‘The Crossing‘ name comes from it being the site of the original crossing point for the River Rea. It’s surrounded by old factories, designer graffiti and railway arches.
Birmingham’s oldest pub, The Old Crown, is just south a few blocks and was a worthy point to start our evening.
Support tonight was Block 33 a mod revival band – various supports on this tour and they are on the first two dates. I wasn’t familiar with them but the punchy set was enjoyable… enjoyable enough for me to buy their best selling CD afterwards – their third album, The Promised Land, released in 2025.
The stage is quite high and it’s easy to see the bands from anywhere. Tonight we stay at the back mostly – handy seats and pop up bar in the auditorium selling several varieties of craft ale, amongst other things. Very little queuing on either night. (It was busier for The Skids on the following night.)
I purposefully selected this as it was the first outing for Bruce’s new band. Many have found it a little strange that Bruce announced that he was retiring near the end of the last From The Jam tour in 2025, only to announce this new venture. A lot of us thought health was an issue with Bruce not playing the whole of the sets on that last tour. But it’s his call. I imagine the intense From The Jam touring was just too much for the Foxton frame, notably knees. Now he can control the pace.
The All-Star band was announced when tour adverts appeared: Mark Brezezicki on drums (best known for Big Country); Andy Fairclough on keyboards (Secret Affair) and Craig Joiner (Rosemary’s Daughter). So who is this big hairy front man? I couldn’t hear much of what was said on stage and I didn’t find out until the next day that he was Pete Barton, Bruce’s long time manager, manager of From The Jam and vocalist with a Creedance Clearwater Revival tribute band.
No sharp mod image sought here. Did I enjoy it? Very much so. I was a bit surprised that all the songs were Jam songs, bar two covers, that The Jam covered: David Watts of course, with the Foxton lead vocals and In The Midnight Hour. Nothing from Bruce’s Stiff Little Fingers years. I was waiting for the bassline of Gotta Gettaway or something. Pre-tour blurb mentioned songs from other parts of Bruce’s career.
You can’t grumble at hearing Jam songs of course and like I said..I was happy. A lovely evening and the crowd appeared happy, certainly happier than the moaners on social media on seeing and hearing evidence of the gig. There is always a body of fans who somehow think only the original line up of any band will do. Most unreasonable. You stay at home then. Fine.
I posted my recording of the last song, Eton Rifles (YouTube link here) and within a few days it had 5,100 views, so the interest is there, but it wasn’t without its critics. The Andy Fairclough keyboards on that are wonderful.
The full setlist is here and it’s a great selection of Jam hits. Bruce looked more mobile than last year – good to see. Watching the man play those basslines is still special. He never says much but looked to be enjoying it, and he did a brief stint on the merch stand afterwards.
I’d go again tomorrow, if it was a bit more local and yes I would go and see From The Jam with Russell Hastings. No original Jam members but Russell has a great voice and a sharp authentic delivery of the beautiful Jam songbook. There’s room for everyone…yes even you Mr Weller. See you in the summer in Southampton.
Gigs with Ivan 