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.
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
England expects
Even the least observant amongst us, will have noticed the steady increase in the amount of flags, bearing the cross of St George, clinging to the windows of the humble family saloon car and white transit van on our streets. And it’s not because England has won a test series again! – Euro 2004 is just around the corner.
This phenomenon has brought varying responses from people saying that it is in poor taste, especially considering the prevalence of the BNP campaigning during the recent European and local elections. The BNP, the so-called human face of the far right, has seemingly taken the flag of St George, as it’s, own. Even the RAC has expressed the opinion that they are dangerous and that they should be banned.
For many though, this overt display of loyalty is a little unpalatable and that it construed as racist. The problem stems from the fact that this flag has been taken by the far right as a symbol of their own and its display draws up all sorts of unpalatable connotations.
I attended my first England football match the other week and for one who is not in the least bit patriotic, I found myself caught up in the emotion of the night and wishing that I had something bearing the cross of St George to show my appreciation of the team – despite a humble draw with Japan.
The game at the magnificent City of Manchester stadium saw women and children, decked out in the red and white colours of England and in certain cases sitting with supporters of Japan. It was certainly a night that I felt proud to be English.
Previously I had been put off attending England matches by the stereotyped Hackett t-shirt wearing, Chelsea FC tattooed, lager lout who thinks he’s doing the nation a service by putting one up Johnny Foreigner.
It’s certainly a time for the average man or women to take pride in the flag of our nation. The Scot’s do, in their all to brief flirtations with major sporting occasions and the Millennium Stadium is a great sight with the Welsh flags billowing to the strains of Men of Harlech. So why cant we as English take pride in our flag?
If the more widespread use of the flag is by the average person in the street the least likely the far right can claim it as there own. I would rather the flag of St George be associated with my knackered old Ford Fiesta than some far- right fascist. The time is now for us all to be proud of our nation, no matter what race or colour that you are.
This phenomenon has brought varying responses from people saying that it is in poor taste, especially considering the prevalence of the BNP campaigning during the recent European and local elections. The BNP, the so-called human face of the far right, has seemingly taken the flag of St George, as it’s, own. Even the RAC has expressed the opinion that they are dangerous and that they should be banned.
For many though, this overt display of loyalty is a little unpalatable and that it construed as racist. The problem stems from the fact that this flag has been taken by the far right as a symbol of their own and its display draws up all sorts of unpalatable connotations.
I attended my first England football match the other week and for one who is not in the least bit patriotic, I found myself caught up in the emotion of the night and wishing that I had something bearing the cross of St George to show my appreciation of the team – despite a humble draw with Japan.
The game at the magnificent City of Manchester stadium saw women and children, decked out in the red and white colours of England and in certain cases sitting with supporters of Japan. It was certainly a night that I felt proud to be English.
Previously I had been put off attending England matches by the stereotyped Hackett t-shirt wearing, Chelsea FC tattooed, lager lout who thinks he’s doing the nation a service by putting one up Johnny Foreigner.
It’s certainly a time for the average man or women to take pride in the flag of our nation. The Scot’s do, in their all to brief flirtations with major sporting occasions and the Millennium Stadium is a great sight with the Welsh flags billowing to the strains of Men of Harlech. So why cant we as English take pride in our flag?
If the more widespread use of the flag is by the average person in the street the least likely the far right can claim it as there own. I would rather the flag of St George be associated with my knackered old Ford Fiesta than some far- right fascist. The time is now for us all to be proud of our nation, no matter what race or colour that you are.
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