As seems to be the norm these days, this evening’s show was meant to happen 2 albums ago! It might have been a long 2 years for everyone but that’s done nothing to slow down the 64 year old ‘modfather’.
Such is the work ethic of Paul Weller, rather than just rest on his laurels, having only just completed his orchestral project True Meanings, he set about writing and recording the album that was to become On Sunset, released in June 2020. It was this album he was meant to be showcasing at this venue but… well you know the rest!
So while the rest of us have been nurturing social interaction issues and literally getting fat, he’s added Fat Pop to the repertoire, an album of sparkling, foot stomping power pop that is the perfect antidote to the last 2 years.
So to tonight’s show. It kicks off with the almighty rock punch of White Sky and Long Time, both from 2005’s Saturns Pattern. Weller and his regular 6 string sparing partner Steve Cradock trading riffs with pinpoint accuracy. The krautrock groove of Cosmic Fringes is up next, the first of the evening off Fat Pop.
From the Floorboards Up maintains the momentum before Headstart for Happiness, the first of four Style Council tracks brings the sell out crowd to life. Village offers up a slice of uptempo soul and keeps the mood upbeat before the classic Have You Ever Had It Blue takes us back to 1986.
The next 40 minutes is a trip through the back catalogue and as you’d expect with any gig of over 2hrs, the crowd chatter increases as we reach a mid set lull. It’s understandable – as the temperature rises, refreshments and the inevitable loo breaks are must!
Steve Cradock was in this same venue last September with the Specials and like that band, Paul Weller has become an icon, an artist who’s creative output has defined a whole musical scene. And that’s great for Paul Weller, in all his guises, be that as the frontman of The Jam and The Style Council or as a solo artist. But, such lofty status does come with its drawbacks and every scene has its definitive anthems. No disrespect to Weller’s prodigious output since the mid 90s but the party doesn’t really get started until the opening bars of Shout to the Top ring out into auditorium and the atmosphere is transformed. The previously static crowd jump into action with some impressive dance moves and an almighty roar of approval.
From here on in it’s a very different proposition, a greatest of greatest hits – Peacock Suit is majestic and once into the encores there’s no let up. Only an emotional You Do Something to Me gives everyone a breather before launching into That’s Entertainment, Wildwood, The Changingman and The Jam’s A Town Called Malice, their bittersweet anthem of the time, mourning the loss of community and inner city deprivation. A bit like its creator, it’s as relevant now as it was in 1982.
Words: Rob Alexander
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography