Paul Weller: A Stylish Return

Forty-six years since he first arrived on stage at St George’s Hall in Bradford, Paul Weller made a triumphant return to the Yorkshire venue as part of his current nationwide tour.

His career has been a kaleidoscope of colours, from the energy and attitude of The Jam to the soulful sophistication of the Style Council to, lately, his illustrious solo career. Weller has never stood still, always pushing the boundaries.

Whilst the Modfather, as he is sometimes known, could have chosen to play bigger venues on the tour, he has stuck to the more intimate settings of concert halls—tonight’s show, like most others on the tour, was rightly sold out.

Rather than play the greatest hits set, which many of the audience would have been content with, Weller and his six-piece band kept the fans surprised with a journey through his fine body of work.

Lasting over two hours, there was a lot to discover in a set that was carefully sprinkled with the old and the new; songs from his last album 66 were further improved with the addition of saxophonist and flautist Jacko Peake, who also gave The Style Council tracks My Ever-Changing Moods and Shout to the Top a new impetus.

Thirty years ago, Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Craddock, a long-time member of Wellers band, introduced Hung Up from the Wild Wood album, marking the beginning of their collaboration. Never taking the limelight, Craddock was always in the background, adding to the template of a rich and powerful sound.

Predictably, tracks from The Jam sweetened up the Bradford audience. That’s Entertainment and Start! were a reminder of how timelessness Weller’s songs are. His talented band sympathetically recreated the emotionally charged You Do Something to Me, showcasing a different side of his songwriting.

Throughout, Weller remained personable and friendly, like your best friend being up there on stage, albeit one you have not seen for a long time. The loyalty and comradery between himself and his fans—both young and old—added to the warm atmosphere that prevailed throughout the evening.

The Jam classic, Town called Malice, rounded off the night in style, with the audience singing every word in unison, bringing back memories of an entertaining and exciting night in 1982.