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Sparkologist · 19-02-2005, 20:10

On Thursday 17th of February, along with Lettie and her sisters, Grego and Sam, I went to Manchester Apollo to see Paul Weller. This was the first time in 25 years of listening to Paul Weller and his music that I have had the opportunity to see him live.

The gig had been re-scheduled from late last year due to Weller contracting a severe throat infection, so it was awaited with even greater anticipation. In the queue, outside the Apollo, the touts were out in force. The gig had sold out within days of going on sale, such is his popularity, and these parasites were racketeering on the back of fans desire to see the Modfather. I would make ticket touting a capital offence.

Once inside, and fuelled with Strongbow, we were glad to find that all the seats had been removed from the stalls, and that it was a standing gig. The support act, Nic Armstrong and the Thieves played a frenetic set and reminded me of some of the three minute heroes of the late seventies punk scene. It was like listening to some early Undertones material. Paul Weller has found a gem in this support act; definitely a group to look out for.

When Paul Weller came on stage, it was to rapturous applause, as he launched into the first song of the night, "Up in Suze's Room", from the 1997 album, Heavy Soul. The crowd didn't really get going until the first song from his days with The Jam, "In the Crowd", was played, four songs into the set. There was a wide spread of fans in the crowd, from aging punks and second generation Mods to students of today. As the songs were played, it was obvious that most of the crowd were hoping to hear Weller's back catalogue from his days with The Jam and the style Council. There were more tracks from his solo back catalogue before Weller played cover versions of "Wishing On a Star" and "Thinking of You" from his latest album, Studio 150.

The crowd moved up a gear when "That's Entertainment" was played, quickly followed by " You Do Something To Me". As the gig drew towards it's conclusion, more songs from Paull Weller's Style Council days were played. The encore was particularly strong, featuring, "Long Hot Summer", "Broken Stones", "My Everchanging Moods" and "If I Can Only Be Sure". Paul Weller finally wound down the show with a rip-roaring version of "A Town Called Malice".

When we exited the Apollo, there were hordes of black-market vendors selling T-shirts and posters and other associated Weller memorabalia; it was just cheap tatt, that didn't do justice to Paul Weller and the performance he gave inside the Apollo.

That was one gig that I have looked forward to for many months, and I was not disappointed. He's not bad, that Weller bloke. For me, he's up there with Joe Strummer.

19-02-2005, 20:10	#1
Sparkologist I am Band Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Overlooking 22 yards Posts: 1,321 Liked: 3 times Rep Power: 57	Paul Weller @ Manchester Apollo On Thursday 17th of February, along with Lettie and her sisters, Grego and Sam, I went to Manchester Apollo to see Paul Weller. This was the first time in 25 years of listening to Paul Weller and his music that I have had the opportunity to see him live. The gig had been re-scheduled from late last year due to Weller contracting a severe throat infection, so it was awaited with even greater anticipation. In the queue, outside the Apollo, the touts were out in force. The gig had sold out within days of going on sale, such is his popularity, and these parasites were racketeering on the back of fans desire to see the Modfather. I would make ticket touting a capital offence. Once inside, and fuelled with Strongbow, we were glad to find that all the seats had been removed from the stalls, and that it was a standing gig. The support act, Nic Armstrong and the Thieves played a frenetic set and reminded me of some of the three minute heroes of the late seventies punk scene. It was like listening to some early Undertones material. Paul Weller has found a gem in this support act; definitely a group to look out for. When Paul Weller came on stage, it was to rapturous applause, as he launched into the first song of the night, "Up in Suze's Room", from the 1997 album, Heavy Soul. The crowd didn't really get going until the first song from his days with The Jam, "In the Crowd", was played, four songs into the set. There was a wide spread of fans in the crowd, from aging punks and second generation Mods to students of today. As the songs were played, it was obvious that most of the crowd were hoping to hear Weller's back catalogue from his days with The Jam and the style Council. There were more tracks from his solo back catalogue before Weller played cover versions of "Wishing On a Star" and "Thinking of You" from his latest album, Studio 150. The crowd moved up a gear when "That's Entertainment" was played, quickly followed by " You Do Something To Me". As the gig drew towards it's conclusion, more songs from Paull Weller's Style Council days were played. The encore was particularly strong, featuring, "Long Hot Summer", "Broken Stones", "My Everchanging Moods" and "If I Can Only Be Sure". Paul Weller finally wound down the show with a rip-roaring version of "A Town Called Malice". When we exited the Apollo, there were hordes of black-market vendors selling T-shirts and posters and other associated Weller memorabalia; it was just cheap tatt, that didn't do justice to Paul Weller and the performance he gave inside the Apollo. That was one gig that I have looked forward to for many months, and I was not disappointed. He's not bad, that Weller bloke. For me, he's up there with Joe Strummer. __________________ Connect it: Red > Yellow, Yellow > Blue, & Blew to ....'kin bits! Any ramblings, meanderings, thoughts or musings are mine and mine alone. Any opinions expressed are Lettie's!