The Modfather Paul Weller brings the spirit of 66 to York!

The Barbican is a beautiful venue in the equally beautiful and historic City of York. The curiously monikered band Barbara kick off tonight’s proceedings in typically grand style. The band, featuring two brothers, bring theatricality to the fore and remind me at times of Belle & Sebastion or Pulp or even MIKA (what happened to him?). Not my usual cup of tea but I enjoyed songs like Rainy Days In June and I am sure they tried a 5 part harmony near the end, you have to be impressed by that at the very least!

And this set has it all, with songs from his days in The Jam, The Style Council and his solo work all of which I am a big fan of. The thing about Weller is just how cool he is, always dressed in the most stylish of gear and always putting as much effort into every song whether he be on guitar or sat behind a piano, there is no bullshit with Weller, just sheer class.

Right from the off, when Weller and his band break in to Rip The Pages Up, for the best part of 2 hours we are treated. And what a band the Modfather, as he is often monikered, has behind him. A drummer, percussionist, keyboards, saxophone and bass. Let’s not forget Weller’s guitarist of the last 30 years, Steve Craddock, who has combined this role with a  successful career in Ocean Colour Scene (does this fella know there is only 365 days in a year?). At times there is a wonderful psychedelic feel to the set, especially from some of the newer songs from upcoming album ‘66’ which already feel like classics to this Yorkshire crowd.

Older Weller classics like Above The Clouds or Stanley Road fit perfectly with newer material like Fat Pop or The Style Council’s Shout To The Top. The classic solo hit , Hung Up, which Weller hasn’t dusted off in a while, brings the house down before You Do Something To Me has the middle aged rockers glancing at their partners eyes as our mate Paul has the hearts fluttering. The main part of the main set has a triple delight of two classics from The Jam, That’s Entertainment (has a song ever summed up suburban life better?) and Start, with Craddock pulling off a George Harrison esque solo that had this diminutive Northern Irish rocker in rapture. The strutting Peacock Suit and Weller and his band leave the stage.

I think that of he had not returned then genuinely there may have been an incident. But never fear as Weller has another eight songs for us including Wild Wood, Mayfly and Changing Man. Weller says that it has been great being in the Capital of Yorkshire as he is from the Capital of Surrey (is that Woking? I am not sure he is being entirely serious) but when the evening ends with an extended version of A Town Called Malice, from The Jam, we can all look forward to another British Tour from Weller in the Autumn but them tickets are flying out the door so get in there quick!!!