Paul Weller shows he is still the top man
Mod legend Paul Weller delivered a musical masterclass to thousands of faithful fans at the LG Arena last night.
Concert review: Paul Weller, LG Arena, November 26.
Mod legend Paul Weller delivered a musical masterclass to thousands of faithful fans at the LG Arena last night.
Greeted with the usual messianic fervour, he launched into opener Peacock Suit on a night of gems young and old from his 34-year back catalogue.
Three songs in and the opening attack of The Jam's Strange Town lifted the roof off the arena, packed with 30, 40 and 50-somethings bedecked in their best Fred Perrys.
Many of those with any hair left wore the combed-forward Weller look with pride and sang along word-perfectly to hit after hit.
That said, the LG Arena doesn't lend itself to a great atmosphere and Weller's frustrating habit of following up crowd-pleasers with more obscure tracks (psychadelic waltz, anyone?) means his shows are often stop-start affairs.
However, no-one can argue with a set-list including Start, Pretty Green, Shout to the Top, Changingman and Broken Stones - mixed with top tracks from his acclaimed 22 Dreams and Wake Up The Nation albums.
A surprise encore of The Jam's Art School had the crowd baying for more and, as ever, Weller left everyone happy with a rocked-up That's Entertainment. Indeed it is, Paul.
