Clocks struck 8:45pm and the lights dimmed to a deep blue, The Beatles’ ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ faded away, and Paul Weller and his ensemble took to the stage, receiving a roar from the Newcastle crowd. Cheers were soon silenced for the gripping opening track ‘Cosmic Fringes’ - kicking off a lengthy 28-song setlist.
Getting ready to perform a Style Council classic ‘My Ever Changing Moods’, Weller took a moment to reflect on the relevance of the song 40 years later, drawing parallels from the lyrics to modern day. He expressed a shock at the Gaza genocide and unapologetically targeted the government, receiving support from the crowd in response - “Teardrops turn to children/who've never had the time / To commit the sins they pay for through another's evil mind”.
Following a few Style Council cameos and an appearance of ‘Out of the Sinking’, (bassist Jake Fletcher's birthday request), Weller shifted the City Hall into a more melodic atmosphere. He took a seat at his piano, which sported a Palestinian flag, and transitioned into the beloved ‘Stanley Road’. The lights complemented the stage, illuminating the band. Colours bounced off the mirrorball which hung high, immersing the crowd into some of Weller’s most soulful, captivating tracks. This was soon disrupted as Weller ripped into his iconic ‘Shout to the Top’ and ‘Start’, but soon brought it back to the tranquillity with ‘Broken Stones’ and ‘Nothing’.
The band dramatically left the stage for their first encore but welcomed back the crowd with the famous ‘The Changingman’ alongside ‘You Do Something To Me’. There were also audible gasps upon hearing the opening strings of ‘Wild Wood’.
Weller couldn’t have closed the show in better fashion, with ‘That’s Entertainment’ provoking a sing-along all across the hall. He followed up with ‘Town Called Malice’ which inevitably caused everyone to take to their feet and dance along. Despite a stoppage mid-song due to a medical issue in the crowd, Weller handled it well and took it from the top and, several "ba-ba-bas" later, the guitars faded away and the whole band took a bow, applause erupted and what had been a compelling two hours was over.
More than 40 years on from when he started, Weller’s stage presence remains undeniable, with a 28-song setlist that immersed the crowd in his lengthy musical career, the Modfather truly knows how to put on a show.
