Paul Weller took to the stage at the totally sold-out Brighton Centre, tonight a mixed standing and seated audience of maybe 5,500, packed with delighted fans for the third date of his 17-date UK tour – the whole tour selling out in record time as soon as it was announced, following on from a 15-date stint in April 2024.
We got a bumper two hour set, and a great value 28-song-set – 22 in the main set, four in the encore and a brace of The Jam’s smash hits in the second encore.
A very balanced set with all the biggies you’d crave to hear, some lovely deep cuts from Paul’s solo career and a smattering of goodies from The Jam and The Style Council. Plus some newer stuff from his most recent output. Showcasing the voice and the song writing gift of a generation. There really is no one like Paul Weller. They broke the mould……
Brighton is of course the home of The Mods and PW being The Modfather, you’d expect a real banger, even more than two weeks before bonfire night! And that is what he and the band delivered. The adulation from his fans is palpable and seemingly received with sincere gratitude.
There really was an electric charge in the air tonight from the stage and from the audience – a recycling of energy we and Paul/the band all feed on.
The crowd is made up of a wide age range, from youngsters, mums and dads, grandmothers and grandads- some of whom have been to dozens of his concerts across the years. There’s people here who saw Paul with The Jam back in the day, with The Style Council and solo many, many times.
His authenticity, artistic integrity and fearless ambition is unfaltering. His band features stalwarts and ace players guitarist Steve Cradock from Ocean Colour Scene and saxophonist Jacko Peake.
With a career spanning five decades and an extensive catalogue of songs to choose from, Paul included songs from the new album “66” which was released back in May this year, his 17th solo album.
The set kicked off with “Cosmic Fringes” from his 2021 album “Fat Pop”, followed by material from “66, such as “Soul Wandering”. Listening to the intense “Nothing” later in the set, was a highlight of many of the night. “My Ever Changing Moods” and “Headstart for Happiness” had the entire crowd on their feet.
“Shout to the Top!” from The Style Council went down well and fans of The Jam were delighted by the cracking “Start” and the closing two songs of the night, the timeless, “That’s Entertainment” and the ballsy “Town Called Malice”.
The night was a celebration of Paul’s rich musical legacy and influence on many, many musicians and artists over the years – and his genuine connection with his fans made the evening feel intimate, despite the large venue. Overall, Paul Weller’s performance at the Brighton Centre was a brilliant showcase of – and we use the word very rarely – his genius.
The performance not only highlighted his status as a musical legend, but also reinforced the enduring power of live music to bring people together. It was one of those “I was there” nights which are indelibly etched into the memory – filled with emotion, joy and nostalgia. Paul Weller is STILL an inspiration and STILL as relevant as ever.
So, among the ‘superfans’ who follow Paul Weller around on his tours and adore his music and the man himself is Darren Gardiner, who has seen Paul more than 100 times, and here he tells us his personal view of the concert.
Paul Weller and his band of players stride confidently on to the stage and without any hesitation, break into “Cosmic Fringes.” The full venue comes alive as the crowd are treated to a wonderful selection of tunes from Mr Weller’s extensive back catalogue.
Early on, lifting the crowd, two classic Style Council numbers, “Have You Ever Had It Blue” and “My Ever Changing Moods” perfectly showcasing the skill of the band, notably Jacko Peake who is an original member of that band, playing sax’ and flute.
Highlight for me was “Into tomorrow”, taken from Paul’s debut solo album, and as the song comes to an end the band let loose and really find their groove. Paul steps off stage for a minute and returns to take a seat with his players. Drummer Steve Pilgrim deserves a mention at this point as he nails the groove and is deep in the pocket of the funk vibe.
Paul makes reference to the last ever Jam gig, held at this very venue back in 1982 as he launches into the classic “Start” in the second encore. Later the place erupts as we are treated to not one but two classic Jam tracks, “That’s Entertainment” and then what he refers to as the new national anthem, “A Town Called Malice”.
Then it is sadly, “Thank you and goodnight” to end another incredible gig from Paul and his amazing band. So says Darren.
So, our ace snapper Manja says she was overwhelmed with just how good this gig was and the sizzling atmosphere. Superfan Darren knows his onions about all things Pual Weller and his live shows, and he puts this one up there in his top Weller gigs from more than 100 he has seen over the years.
Me? I’m spoiled and hard to please when it comes to live music, as I get to experience lots of it all over the place and all sorts of genres and bands/artists as a music writer. So without beating about the bush or dilly dallying……I will say this: Bloody fabulous.
A man for all seasons. A classy gent. A dapper gent. Still very much a creative driving force and I am sure, lots more to give.
Look… Anyone who can write and sing such a spine-tingling song as “You Do Something To Me” – song # 24 in the set tonight [the 1995 single taken from his career-defining third solo album “Stanley Road ] – gets my vote.
Probably the gig of the year for many. Discuss…
Setlist
Cosmic Fringes
Soul Wandering
That Pleasure
Have You Ever Had It Blue
(The Style Council song)
My Ever Changing Moods
(The Style Council song)
All the Pictures on the Wall
Headstart for Happiness
(The Style Council song)
Above the Clouds
More
Stanley Road
Glad Times
Rise Up Singing
Old Father Tyme
Hung Up
Shout to the Top!
(The Style Council song)
Start!
(The Jam song)
Broken Stones
Nothing
Jumble Queen
Out of the Sinking
Into Tomorrow
Peacock Suit
Encore:
The Changingman
Porcelain Gods
You Do Something To Me
Wild Wood
Encore 2:
That’s Entertainment
(The Jam song)
Town Called Malice
(The Jam song)
Support was from Liam Bailey
