Paul Weller

Support Liam Bailey

Caird Hall, Dundee

27th October 2024

I last photographed Paul Weller and his band back in April 2022 at the Caird Hall and what a gig it was, so I’m really looking forward to tonight.

On his last visit to Dundee, Weller played a 28-song set list which lasted two and a half hours for his adoring followers. Now with the release of his 17th solo album called 66, this could be another lengthy performance for the Dundee crowd to enjoy.

Wellers new album 66 is referenced to his birthday and he takes a slightly new approach when writing this album as he collaborates with musical friends he has connected with throughout his career.

On the first song of the album, (Ship of Fool) is written by Suggs from Madness and has a much slower tempo to start you off.

Other collaborations on the album come from Noel Gallagher on (Jumble Queen), Bobby Gilespie (Souls Wondering) and other contributors such as Dr Robert from the Blow Monkeys, and daughter Leah Weller all adding to the album.

Arriving at the venue it’s just a long line of people standing in the pouring rain waiting for the doors to open, but it didn’t seem to dampen their spirits, they just wanted in to see Paul Weller.

Support for the night comes from Nottingham Reggae and Souls singer Liam Bailey who I’ve never really heard of, so it will be interesting to see how the Dundee fans react to his music.

Bailey bounds on stage from the off and seemed to lap it up throughout his set as he jumps on and off stage to interact with the crowd. His set was extremely passionate as he sang, Not The Same, Stun Me and On My Mind that kept the crowd entertained as they wait for the main act.

Weller and the band, consisting of, Steve Craddock (guitar), Jake Fletcher (bass guitar), Steve Pilgrim (drums), Jako Peake (sax & flute), Tom Van Heel (keyboard), Ben Cordelier (instrumentation), took to the stage at 8.45 to a full house and kicked the night off with Cosmic Fringes, followed by one from the new album Soul Wandering which went down well.

Looking around the venue it was an older crowd who have followed Weller since the early days of The Jam and the Style Council who had turned up for this gig.

With track such as Head Start, Old Father Tyne, and Above the Clouds it seemed a more mellow start to the gig.

Weller puts aside his guitar and moved over to the piano to give an energetic performance with one of the fans favourites Stanley Road. The mobile phones all seemed to appear high in the air as the crowd started to dance to one of their favourite tunes. Weller stayed at the piano for another slower song, Glad Times which has a psychedelic backdrop giving the stage a nice sixties theme to the show.

Weller announced to the crowd that he spoke to a man earlier in the day, as he informed him that he saw The Jam play the Caird Hall 45 years ago. “That’s fucking mental,” said Weller.

Craddock and Jako Peak all played their part throughout this gig with amazing guitar riffs and sax and flute performances from both band members.

This gig had everything from start to finish, Weller took the fans on a journey with the new tracks and brought them back to the fan’s favourites like, A Town Called Malice, Start, and That’s Entertainment.

Set List

Cosmic Fringes

Soul Wandering

That Pleasure

My Ever Changing Moods

Have You Ever Had It Blue

All the Pictures on the Wall

Headstart For Happiness

Old Father Tyme

Above the Clouds

Sinking

Stanley Road