Paul Weller / Royal Concert Hall / Nottingham

Nottingham, home of one of the UK’s best known style icons Paul Smith, welcomed another stylish Paul tonight as Paul Weller brought his “66” tour to town.

The man needs no introduction. Many dream of being in a famous band, and Paul Weller has done it three times, forming the Jam in 1976 releasing a string of hits such including Eaton Rifles and Going Underground, before forming the Style Council in 1983 releasing such classics as Shout to the Top, Walls Come Tumbling Down and You’re the Best Thing. Then, since 1990 he’s carved out a successful solo career delivering gems such as You Do Something To Me and Wild Wood. His latest album “66” was released in May 2024 to rave reviews.

But first up, on stage we have local singer/songwriter Liam Bailey all the way from Beeston, just outside the city centre, and with Forest playing at home he bounds out with his red and white Forest scarf on. He asks is there’s any Forest fans in and some cheer, and one voice calls out “Come on you ‘Pies” (Notts County - their old city rivals from across the Trent) which makes Laim laugh as he throws his scarf to an audience member.

In front of his home town crowd, Liam is in his element, and boy, what a performance he delivers !

With his long flowing dreads there’s most certainly a reggae influence to his sound, but there’s so much more to his sound as well. There’s a real blues feel to some, and other tracks are soulful, and at times he belts out some stunning rock numbers too.

Perhaps the highlight was a beautiful rendition of Dance With Me during which he encourages the crowd to sing along to the chorus. Liam owns the stage and exudes confidence as he roams freely and interacts with the audience. At times he reminds us he’s one of us and the crowd cheer loudly.

A sadly far too short 30 minute set, Liam held the crowd in the palm of his hand, and the grim on his face, that stretched from ear to ear, shows just what this moment has meant to him.

I’ll be keeping an eye open for more shows from Liam – it’s an experience I want again…. real soon.

The stage is re-arranged and instruments tested during the intermission and the crowd are back in the hall early, in their seats and eager for the main act. The lights dim, and the crowd cheer as Paul Weller and his band step out into the limelight. The Palestinian flag is draped respectfully over a couple of amps. Paul has throughout his career never shied away from speaking out on issues that are important to him, from his Red Wedge days in the 80s, to a plea tonight to support humanitarian causes to support the people of Palestine, with a bucket collection. Good on you Paul !

The music is just sublime, and Paul shows no signs of slowing down, his energy and enthusiasm is there for all to see. And that voice…. Still just as strong, and as iconic as ever. His tone and delivery are just as good now as always. The set starts with Cosmic Fringes and Soul Wandering which have the crowd clapping along right from the off. He switches it up and pulls out a couple of classic The Style Council tracks in My Ever Changing Moods and Have You Ever Had It Blue. As he introduces My Ever Changing Blues he laments on how the song is just as poignant today as it was when he wrote in the height of Thatcher’s 80’s Britain, and he dedicates it to the people of Palestine to roars of approval.

His solo material forms the majority of the set, from early numbers such as Into Tomorrow from his self-titled debut in 1002, through Stanley Road (from 1995’s “Stanley Road” and Old Father Time (from 2020’s “On Sunset”) through to a selection of tracks from the latest album “66” including Burn Out, Nothing and Jumble Queen.

But interspersed through the night, those classics keep popping up, with The Style Council hits Headstart for Happiness and Shout to the Top! Taking the atmosphere up another notch, before going right back to his 19709’s roots when The Jam make a quick appearance in the form of Start.

The band supporting Paul are incredible, led by his long term colleague Steve Craddock on guitar (also played in Ocean Colour Scene) they are tight and have that magical connection, resulting in a crisp, clear and magical sound.

As the set comes to a close, the whole place is on it’s feet, clapping, singing along and dancing before they exit the stage to huge cheers. Paul and the band return, not just for one, but two encores. The first is a four song set including solo tracks The Changingman, Porcelain Gods, You Do Something to Me, and the incredible Wild Wood (from the 1993 album of the same name).

Before they return one last time…. And what a finale, as they play back to back the best known Jam hits That’s Entertainment and ending on Town Called Malice. The atmosphere is just electric and they sound just as incredible now as they did all those years ago when first released.

As a Monday night goes…… that has been one of the best !

Paul Weller’s “66” tour continues stopping in Dundee next (27th Oct) and running through to two nights at the Eventim Appollo in London on 8th and 9th November. Don’t miss out !

Setlist

Cosmic Fringes

Soul Wandering

That Pleasure

My Ever Changing Moods (The Style Council)

Have You Ever Had It Blue (The Style Council)

All the Pictures on the Wall

Headstart for Happiness (The Style Council)

Above the Clouds

More

Stanley Road

Glad Times