Paul Weller – O2 Apollo, Manchester: Live Review

By Mike Ainscoe on 3rd November 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

Paul Weller – O2 Apollo, Manchester – Friday 1st November 2024

It’s barely six months since we saw Paul Weller play the King George’s Hall in Blackburn in advance of the release of his 66 album. Not much has changed in six months; maybe news of Weller’s appearance in a new film, Blitz, is quite exciting and there’s been the opportunity to let 66 become a little more ingrained although there’s no real weighting or emphasis on the new album. The two bass drums each emblazoned with a ‘6’ are still in place as is the band that’s as sharp as a tack; a band that groove and kick with a steely faced cool, on a par with the classic backing bands like Springsteen’s E Streeters. Take a bow Messers Craddock, Fletcher & Co.

It’s not quite a case of ripping the pages up, but the set gets a little rejig so that familiarity doesn’t breed contempt. Of course, no-one would object to a Weller set that, like a solid soccer team, is built around a strong spine of hits, highlights and more hits, decorated with a pick from what we can now look back at as a fine body of work.

As he admits himself early doors, there’s a lot to play – the current set is 27 songs long so no one is going to feel short changed. In fact it’s quite some marathon indulging in both quality and quantity. It seems quite neatly organised too – a couple of Fat Pop songs early doors provide the sandwich for Soul Wandering which along with the hefty swagger of Jumble Queen at the back end of the set, we dare suggest are the highlight of 66 (and possibly the current live set) with it’s heavy soul and stabs of brass.

A nice little section of Style Council comes handily placed twenty minutes or so in, after he’s made his optional political comment and dedication to the events in the Middle East. A healthy chunk of Stanley Road is on offer too – a little dose of fish-eyed Britpop nostalgia maybe, especially as a handful of Stanley songs make the bulk of the first encore; The Changingman and then the appearance of Wild Wood evidence of that solid spine.

Anyone flagging gets an injection of adrenalin from Shout To The Top and Start! that herald the bell for the final lap where Jumble Queen competes with a nice little snatch of Into Tomorrow funk from the solo debut and another Stanley standout in Peacock Suit. Yes, great value for money and having had the opportunity to see the man twice in 2024 – the first time in a long time tbh – there’s a renewed admiration for the sprightly gent whose songwriting craft has demanded our attention over a couple of hours.

All leads back to where it started with a couple of inevitable Jam numbers. Could we do without them? Maybe, or maybe just icing on the cake that’s already provided a belly busting feast. From to Sound Affects (we don’t time travel quite as far back as the very early Jam days) to 66, this 44 year time capsule boasts both passion and sophistication.

always see the support – Liam Bailey

Liam Bailey is most keen to push his new album – Holding On. he even has a copy on stage so we know what to look for after he’s done his merch pitch. Paul liked it apparently and offered Liam the support slot. Can’t argue with that recommendation.

Backed by his three piece band, a pith hatted Liam is free to constantly prowl and bound flamboyantly the lip of the stage encouraging Manchester at regular intervals to “make some noise!” And to be fair, they do; those at the front who’ve arrived early for a prime slot seem up for his reggae based material to start their evening’s entertainment. The title track itself provides the final blast of a lively half hour set.