Portsmouth music legend Joe Jackson postpones hometown Guildhall concert and tour due to Covid restrictions

The Steppin’ Out hitmaker was due to play Portsmouth Guildhall on March 27 as part of his Sing, You Sinners! tour, but has now postponed it to Friday, August 5.

Joe rose to prominence in the late 1970s as part of the new wave scene, scoring hits with Is She Really Going Out With Him? and It’s Different For Girls. Over the course of his Grammy-winning four decade career, he has experimented with jazz and classical influences.

His most recent album was 2019’s Fool.

In a statement, Joe said: ‘SORRY! I want to apologise personally to anyone who has bought tickets but will no longer get to see us on tour this year.

‘After months of uncertainty, it finally became clear that continuing Covid restrictions (particularly on venue capacity) in certain countries, would make our spring European tour unviable as planned.

‘I’ve always been a believer in “the show must go on”, and making money is not the only, or the most important, reason I go on tour.

‘But we can’t tour at a loss, and the situation did not look like changing soon enough.

‘It was also the preference of some of our promoters that we postpone until after our US tour.

‘Not ideal, since we weren’t likely to be able to re-schedule every show, and the tour would be pushed into August, a bad time to tour in many parts of Europe. But we’ve managed to reschedule most of it.

‘I feel terrible that our supporters in Ireland, Italy, Spain and Portugal won’t get to see us at all.

‘On the other hand, we’ve been able to reschedule all the UK, Dutch and Belgian shows, three out of four of the French shows, and have even been able to add a couple in Germany.

‘I’d like to thank my manager David Whitehead and booking agent Mike Dewdney for working so hard to make the best of a difficult situation.

‘The places we’ve had to miss out this time, will be at the top of the list next time around. Thanks and keep supporting live music!’

Existing ticket purchases will be valid for the rescheduled shows.

Refunds will be given for the cancelled shows or any shows ticket holders are now not able to attend.

Go to portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

Subscribe here for unlimited access to all our coverage, including Pompey, for just 26p a day.