WORDS AND IMAGES SAM HOLT
Paul Weller, the Woking-born singer/songwriter, graced the stage tonight at Halls Wolverhampton as part of his current tour tour. Many fans connect Weller with The Jam, the band he formed in the 1970s, known for its mod-inspired sound before disbanding in the early 1980s. He then established The Style Council, which allowed him to explore a much more soulful direction. A decade later, Weller ventured into solo artistry, releasing his self-titled debut album in 1992.
Considered something of an enigma, Weller tirelessly reinvents himself while maintaining his popularity. Over the years, he has earned the nickname “The Mod Father” due to his long-standing affiliation with the reimagined mod scene that emerged in the 70s and beyond.
Tonight’s support act was singer-songwriter Liam Bailey, renowned for his soulful reggae sound, which complemented Weller’s repertoire beautifully. He struck a chord with the audience, engaging them from the stage’s edge, and they responded by singing back some of his lines. His set was brief, but his final song infused blues into his style, and you could see he was particularly enjoying the moment, waving his dreadlocks.
As the lights dimmed at 8:45 for the main act, Weller kicked off with two tracks from Fat Pop Vol 1, “Cosmic Fringes” and “That Pleasure.” Among the first three songs, “Soul Wandering” from his most recent album truly stood out, living up to its name with its soulful vibe. Steve Cradock showcased some impressive guitar work, while Jake on bass laid down evocative basslines.
Cradock introduced a song from the Absolute Beginners soundtrack, The Style Council’s “Ever Had It Blue,” which was met with great enthusiasm from the Wolverhampton audience. Weller also featured sax player Jacko Peake, leading to a beautiful rendition of “Shout to the Top.” It’s intriguing that this brilliant pop song addresses themes of oppression and misery, a sentiment Weller isn’t shy to express through his music. Throughout the concert, he kept his dialogue minimal, mostly introducing songs, though he did have some playful banter with local lad Cradock about a place they used to play, Lafayette.
One highlight was the solid, fast-paced “Jumble Queen,” which had a strong R&B flavor, anchored by an enticing riff that lingered long after the performance. I later discovered this track was co-written by Noel Gallagher, but Weller and his band delivered it brilliantly. The set concluded with the uplifting mod-influenced classic “Peacock Suit.”
As the first chords of “The Changing Man” rang out, Weller and his band returned for an exuberant encore. This fantastic song, one of his first solo singles, was followed by “You Do Something to Me,” which came across as haunting and bluesy. He rounded out the night with the folky “Wildwood,” dedicating it to all the mothers in the audience.
After some coaxing, the band returned for a rousing rendition of “That’s Entertainment,” which had the audience on their feet, singing along. Weller then introduced what he referred to as the “National Anthem”—a terrific version of “A Town Called Malice” that truly lifted the roof of the recently renovated venue.
Reflecting on the night, Paul Weller, The Jam, The Style Council—was this a stroll down memory lane? Not at all, and it shouldn’t be. While the cover songs were warmly welcomed, Weller presented such a diverse back catalogue that it’s clear he is a musician at the top of his game. I believe he will continue to evolve and be re-energized while creating new music. If you’re looking for The Jam or The Style Council, you might as well try a tribute band. Paul Weller is a fantastic artist in his own right, free from the shadows of his past, and deserves your support at a venue near you.
SETLIST:
1/ Cosmic Fringes
2/ Soul Wandering
3/ That Pleasure
4/ My Ever Changing Moods
5/ Have You Ever Had It Blue
6/ All The Pictures On The Wall
7/ Headstart For Hapiness
8/ Above The Clouds
9/ More
10/ Stanley Road
11/ Village
12/ Hung Up
13/ Shout To The Top
14/ Start!
15/ Broken Stones
16/ Nothing
17/ Jumble Queen
18/ Out Of The Sinking
19/ Into Tomorrow
20 Peacock Suit
21/ The Changing Man
22/ Porcelain Gods
23/ You Do Something To Me
24/ Wild Wood
25/ That’s Entertainment
26/ Town Called Malice
FOLLOW PAUL WELLER
FOLLOW LIAM BAILEY
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
