Joan Jett and Blackhearts review – rock history, but why is she playing Gary Glitter? | | Music

‘Me“I’m not a very good storyteller,” scoffs Joan Jett, the black leather face a trademark.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer didn’t come to chat, or pat himself on the back. This first UK headline show in 16 years offers straight-up hard rock, from early cuts with the Runaways to his latest release with the Blackhearts. At 67, Jett’s voice is still deep and commanding – if time has added more rock, so much the better – and the latest iteration of the Blackhearts as a simple three-part play is hard and fast. It’s all old rock history, but it comes across as more historical than it should be: even Cherry Bomb’s youthful horror is delivered in a cold, even dry, senseless way.

Maybe Jett feels the same way. He asks for less AC on stage – “I want sweat!” And the night is hot. He’s a great cover artist, and his androgynous version that still feels like the Replacements is heartfelt and amazing. Once freed, he hums a rare take on Sly and the Family Stone’s Everyday People, before delving into a bitter, serrated guitar. Technically, I Love Rock’n’Roll and Crimson and Clover are covers as well, but they feel like they’ve become their own. The finale’s transition between dreamy, vulnerable and pounding sounds is something to behold, as is the rock I Hate Myself for Loving You.

With instruments like that, it’s a shame that Jett still sings the terrible Gary Glitter song Do You Wanna Touch Me. He has great music that doesn’t require him to blurt out what he recently said: “Am I going to stop … when I have my own career with this song? No.” The show closes with Bad History – a reminder, as if everyone still needs it, Jett marches to the beat of his drum. Tonight is all but one strike too many, not that they will pay any respect.