Paul Weller - Glasgow - SSE Hydro - Tuesday 24 November 2015 When Paul Weller comes to town he is welcomed by a legion of followers and tonight at Glasgow’s Hydro is no different. With 12th studio album Saturn’s Pattern released earlier in the year and with the album commanding serious airplay in my playlists since I was more than looking forward to hearing the new tunes live. Aptly titled ‘I’m Where I Should Be’ kicks off the evening and is the perfect choice to open the set. Another cracking track from Saturn’s Pattern, the Lou Reed fused ‘Long Time’ follows as Weller and his band waste no time in cranking it up. The Jam’s ‘Man In The Cornershop’ provides Steve Cradock a chance to shine vocally alongside Weller as I pick up on some murmurs from a fan in the crowd demanding more Jam tracks. Despite being a fan of The Jam I am left somewhat peeved by this somewhat dated thinking as the tour is clearly billed Paul Weller, Saturn’s Pattern. Pleasingly, judging by the crowd reaction to the opening chords of ‘White Sky’ the majority of fans are in attendance to appreciate the new tracks (alongside some past classics). After all, it is not the always moving forward mentality of Weller that we all love? |
Live staple ‘Come On/Let’s Go’ and the infectious ‘The Attic’ visibly connects fans before Steve Cradock introduces Style Council classic ‘My Ever Changing Moods’. With Andy Crofts initiating a mass clap-along the song is well received and to the delight of many, further Style Council tracks ‘Have You Ever Had It Blue’ and ‘Long Hot Summer’ also feature. The powerful ‘From The Floorboards Up’ is perhaps my favourite Weller live track and one of the nights many highpoints. ‘Saturn’s Pattern’ and ‘Going My Way’ see Weller take to the piano with the mesmerizing lighting alongside the music adding to the atmosphere. ‘Into Tomorrow’ is another stand-out with a big groove and Weller giving a shout-out to the two Steves in his band.
Fan favourites ‘Friday Street’ and ‘Porcelain Gods’ get the Hydro rocking with many of the fans in seats joining Andy Crofts on their feet (minus the tambourine of course) as the music and light radiates from the stage. ‘Peacock Suit’ and ‘Start!’ close-out the 22 song set ensuring the ‘old-timers’ are left panting like thirsty dogs for more as chants on “here we, here we” and “Mods, Mods, Mods” ring out from the floor.
Returning to the stage, the hypnotic ‘Pick It Up’ and trance like ‘These City Streets’ complete the live offering from the current album . ‘Changing Man’ brings the curtain down again before Paul and his uber-tight band return to the stage with a dedication to fallen comrades everywhere in the form of ‘Be Happy Children’ and night closer The Jam classic ‘A Town Called Malice’ once again validating the performance and ensuring approval from all.
Words: Bazza Mills
Twitter: @bazzamills
Fan favourites ‘Friday Street’ and ‘Porcelain Gods’ get the Hydro rocking with many of the fans in seats joining Andy Crofts on their feet (minus the tambourine of course) as the music and light radiates from the stage. ‘Peacock Suit’ and ‘Start!’ close-out the 22 song set ensuring the ‘old-timers’ are left panting like thirsty dogs for more as chants on “here we, here we” and “Mods, Mods, Mods” ring out from the floor.
Returning to the stage, the hypnotic ‘Pick It Up’ and trance like ‘These City Streets’ complete the live offering from the current album . ‘Changing Man’ brings the curtain down again before Paul and his uber-tight band return to the stage with a dedication to fallen comrades everywhere in the form of ‘Be Happy Children’ and night closer The Jam classic ‘A Town Called Malice’ once again validating the performance and ensuring approval from all.
Words: Bazza Mills
Twitter: @bazzamills