Paul Weller

Delamere Forest Park, Sunday 20th June 2004

For someone who has released a song called ‘Wildwood’ it was perhaps inevitable for Paul Weller to take to the stage in the setting of a forest. In the impressive setting that Is Delamere Forest, in one of a series of concerts organised by the Forestry Commission.

With midsummer’s night just around the corner the audience were dressed for the changeable climate that is the English summer. Despite the ominous ever-present black clouds, thankfully the heavens did not open on the exposed crowd.

Weller has admitted a few problems with writers block of late, and perhaps this is the reason the release of a cover versions album is imminent, but as a live performer Weller is still on top of his musical game.

Before the main attraction Liverpool band The Stands ably started the proceedings with a set that stretched out the better songs from their patchy debut album and showed a tight nit band that is far better live then what was produced on record.

Weller came on as the night drew in and launched into ‘Out of the Sinking’ which set the scene for tonight’s performance. He looked up for it tonight and this was shown in the passion and enthusiasm of his performance of the songs he played. Though he nearly lost half of the audience with his ‘Welcome to Scousestock’ declaration.

He managed to get the non-scouse contingent back onside with a few well-chosen oldies from his Jam and Style Council repertoire. ‘In The Crowd’ was superb and is fast becoming a welcome mainstay of his solo set which is no bad thing. ‘Man in the Cornershop’ was also brilliant tonight also.

The now seemingly fixed line up of White, Craddock, Minchella, and Beagan was at times augmented by the adding of a saxophonist which added a new depth to some of the numbers especially ‘Peacocks Suit’.

The set had a bit for everyone; the diehard Jam fan and the Style Councillor would no doubt have no complaints about the set list tonight. It was hard to think what he had left out that he could have played. Predictably he finished the main part of the set with Wildwood before coming back for the encore.

The loudest cheer of the night was reserved for the familiar opening bars of ‘Town Called Malice’ – it was a fantastic rendition of the Jam classic even with Weller forgetting the words halfway through. He didn’t have to worry as the crowd managed to fill in the gaps for him.

Top gig. The crowd loved it, Weller and the band looked liked they loved it. A recipe for a good night and it didn’t rain too.