Photo Credit: The Scotsman
IN the iconic grounds of Edinburgh Castle, legendary Mod-father Paul Weller put on a performance with just the right amount of classics to satisfy the transfixed crowd.
There’s always something special about these gigs. Weller inspired a hair cut and a generation, and the culture he captivated as his own is speckled amongst the crowd in Fred Perry button ups and meticulously trimmed sideburns. And its not only the original 80’s mods that are amongst the crowd, their wives, children and even grandchildren are in-tow- not forgetting the twenty-something’s that have fell in love with Weller all off of their own back.
With Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene taking the gong for the sharpest suit award, the six piece band are suited and booted for the packed crowd.
Opening with Sunflower, Weller got the crowd going with countless fans in the crowd receiving a telling off from stewards for their out-of-their-seat behaviour. With the isles reserved strictly as a walkway, hyped-up guys and girls rebelled against its purpose dancing and chanting in the face of authority. And fitting too, for The Jam were the working class heroes band of the 1980’s.
It was the iconic tracks that stood out, predictably, with Peacock Suit, From the Floorboards Up, Start! and Wild Wood all included in the 90 minute set.
That’s Entertainment was the stand-out track from the evening. As the acoustic-led guitar opened up the ears of the crowd, each and every single lyric was repeated back to Weller through Cheshire cat smiles.
Going against the ‘no smoking’ rule within the historical grounds, Weller smoked a fag in-between guitar change-overs and wetted his pallet with countless pieces of gum.
The swagger and angst that Weller coined in his heyday was still in-stowed within him this evening, giving Fast Car Slow Traffic from his 2010 album a great dose of aggro. And as he swayed and played his way through the nostalgically-led performance the crowd showed that truly great songs can stand the test of time, and a few decades too.
During the classic-heavy encore, Weller took to the piano for a special rendition of Rose Royce’s Wishing On a Star. It was, though, A Town Called Malice that saw the crowd erupt in nostalgic euphoria as they enjoyed the upbeat track that brought back many a memory. As the lights went out and the crowd made their way down the Royal Mile, it was clear this evening was way beyond entertainment, it was something special shared amongst the twenty, thirty, forty, fifty and sixty-something’s with one love in common, Paul Weller and a sharp sense of style.
Words: Nadine Walker
