Live Review: Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Cable Ties

Joan Jett’s fans pack into the Corner early, vying for a spot with a good view of the stage. They know they have been lucky to score tickets to this rather rare intimate pub gig with an icon of American rock. Cable Ties set the evening in motion by ratcheting up a raucous punk racket. Their energised set works the crowd with a blast of old school punk and riot grrrl noise. Working the elemental force that only a three-piece can deliver, they drop on-fire riffs designed to scorch the ears. Vocalist Jenny McKechnie shrieks out her lyrical agenda and Cable Ties work a wild formula that all too often washes over as abrasive in the hands of lesser bands. Instead, these punks from Melbourne are joyously life-affirming and just plain fun in their presentation.

Inbetween sets the Chiko Molls DJs look kind of cool dancing as they spin Lust For Life but they don’t play for very long before the house PA takes over.

It is reassuring to know that after 40 years of making music, Joan Jett has lost none of her edge. Fierce as all hell, she blasts fans away with a collection of hits and sentimental favourites. Jett’s voice still has all its gritty power. As vital as ever, her vocals stand tall in a polished mix that burns with The Blackhearts incendiary riffs. It’s hard to believe that Jett could ever be a Victim Of Circumstance, which gets her set off to a solid start. Powering her way through Cherry Bomb, Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) and Bad Reputation, Jett has the crowd bouncing off the walls. No need to leave these tunes for the encore as she has plenty more hits in store for us. 

Jett’s take on punk is well versed in hard, rough-riding rock‘n’roll and garage that achieves broader appeal by hitting some pretty anthemic rock notes. Newer material like Soulmates To Strangers and Make It Back rock as hard Jett’s older hits, although it’s fans' familiarity with tunes like Fake Friends and I Hate Myself For Loving You that sends them into a frenzy. One of the first songs Jett wrote for The Runaways, You Drive Me Wild just seems to rock in gloriously loud, spectacular style tonight. Along the way Jett and long-time Blackheart Kenny Laguna regale us with stories that celebrate Jett’s music and achievements.

Jett for the most part concentrates on playing it as hard and rough as possible. When she looks up from her guitar and reaches out to the crowd with a smile, the adoration coming off them is tangible. Of course, I Love Rock 'N Roll. Crimson And Clover is another one that has the crowd singing along loudly. Real Wild Child and Everyday People bring down the night to thunderous applause. As the lights go up, the crowd is all wide-eyed and gasping with complete astonishment. A class act, Jett proves why so many journalists before us identify her as a trailblazing rock legend.