PAUL WELLER | LIVE REVIEW

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Wed 21 Feb

Last year marked the 40th anniversary of Paul Weller’s first album release, The Jam’s In The City. Fast forward from May 1977 to today, and you’d think that would set the tone to start winding down. Not on this man’s watch – yet another nigh-on sold-out UK tour, and a new album set to drop in a couple of months. The Modfather is far from done, and he shows that in more ways than one here.

The Motorpoint Arena fills up nicely for opening act, Irish boys The Strypes. Their indiefied blues-rock with a nod to the mod revival packs plenty of energy, and readies everyone for the main event. Kicking things off with I’m Where I Should Be, White Sky, Nova and From The Floorboards Up, Weller sets a tone early on and a no-nonsense attitude continues throughout: minimal but sufficient crowd interaction, and a flat-out song-packed set.

Following up with Saturns Pattern and The Cranes Are Back, Weller throws in a couple of tracks from his Style Council days: Have You Ever Had It Blue and My Ever Changing Moods turn a few heads. Man In The Corner Shop is the first Jam song to show up, before Shout To The Top!, another Style Council hit, turns the arena into an 80s disco. Slowing it right down, the famous tones of You Do Something To Me serenade the masses before Weller finishes up the main set with Peacock Suit and Start!.

Encore one is a five-song acoustic turn, featuring Jam hits English Rose and That’s Entertainment, and all very nicely done in all fairness. Departing, and returning once again to roaring applause, Weller continues for another three tracks, bringing the mammoth 30-song set to a close with an erupting rendition of A Town Called Malice.

An evening full of legendary songs, and faultless musicianship. It’s easy to see how Weller has stood the test of time, and he doesn’t look like slowing down any time soon.

words OWEN SCOURFIELD photos EMMA LEWIS