Born in Woking, Surrey, in 1958, Paul Weller had released his first album, 'In The City', as lead singer, guitarist and songwriter with The Jam just five days before his 20th birthday on 20 May, 1977.
Those first, frenetic chords on the opening title track from Paul's spiky guitar stabs and bass player Bruce Foxton's urgent runs on their Rickenbackers, set the tone for six albums delivered at a furious pace over the next five years.In 1977, Great Britain was in a turbulent time – youth unemployment was high, punk had torn through the music scene, Margaret Thatcher was about to be elected as PM, and change was on the way.
By 1982 at the age of 23, Paul decided that The Jam had run its course and he had longed for change as well. To many fans shock, he was over being 'the voice of a generation', and so next came The Style Council.
While disciples of The Jam didn't get it (at first), it proved Paul's ability and credibility to write sweet soul music, melodic pop songs, and even ballads. Alongside his musical partner Mick Talbot, dressed like they just stepped off a yacht on the French Riviera, The Style Council captured hearts and hits at a global level with their six albums from 1984 to 1989.
However, the changing man wanted change again and after achieving everything he wanted from The Style Council he quietly wound up the band and launched his solo career in 1992, with his first self-titled album; and we've been blessed with 15 solo albums since, and multiple tours of Australia.
On a drizzly night in late summer Sydney (10 February), the bars around The Rocks and the Sydney Opera House are full with thick British accents, necking pints in their Fred Perry polo shirts and Adidas trainers, sporting the odd greying, feather-cut mod hairstyle of choice.
Image © Chris Searles
You can literally feel the excitement because The Modfather means so much to so many, and unlike certain other British retro acts who recently visited Australia, he continues to push boundaries and release exciting, relevant and genre-defining new music.
Just after 8pm in the beautiful Concert Hall at Australia's most iconic music and arts venue, Sydney Opera House, Paul and band walk with purpose onto the stage to a huge football crowd level roar from a still arriving audience.
Paul, dressed like a Saville Row tailor on his weekend off, warmly acknowledges the crowd before launching into 'Rip The Pages Up' from 2008's stellar '22 Dreams' longplayer.
Over the next 2.5 hours, the 65-year-old delivers 28 songs that span his entire catalogue; from his solo work, The Jam and The Style Council, including a pair of new songs from his upcoming 28th album to be released later this year.
He moves like a man half his age, going from centre stage to piano and all the while delivering song after song with a voice that's getting a little raspier, but still strong and more interesting as he ages incredibly gracefully.
The Concert Hall is a seated venue, and so the audience went from all seated at certain points to everyone standing and punching the air as the mood was orchestrated by Paul's choice of deep cuts and crowd favourites.
Image © Chris Searles
What was clear is that whether you're a fan of The Jam, The Style Council or his solo work, everything he does is going to be incredibly well performed by his road band, led by Paul's ever-faithful sideman Steve Craddock (who Paul reminds us of the fact that he has performed with since 1993).
After 90 minutes of non-stop music, Paul takes a seemingly impromptu break towards the end of the main set, and after a quick word in Steve's ear, the band jam on 'Into Tomorrow' for a five-minute interlude before he comes back onstage with a smirk, delivering another couple of bangers before a short break.
We're treated to two encores of classics and obscurities, and then suddenly those sweet arpeggio chords of 'Changing Man' are ringing out and the show is over.
Paul and band look very pleased with the show, the occasion of playing in such a special venue clearly visible on their smiles. They bow to the adoring audience. . . front, side and behind the stage before walking off arm in arm.
It was six years since he last played in Australia, let's hope he doesn't wait another six years to return and perform nationally. Never a retro act, always focused on evolution and momentum. . . Paul Weller still has so much to say and do, gifting fans with the glorious results of his ever-changing moods.
- written by Chris Searles
