British music icon, Paul Weller, performed at the Magnolia on September 25, concert number 13 of a 16-date tour of the U.S. and Canada in support of his new album, 66. It was his sixth show in San Diego, his first time back since 2017. Fans got an epic night of music in three parts, with new songs set amongst classics from throughout Weller’s career, including a handful of tunes from his earlier groups, The Jam and The Style Council.
Following a well-received 30-minute opening solo set from Irish musician George Houston, Weller took the stage to the sounds of The Beatles’ “Tomorrow Never Knows,” alongside six ace musicians, including longtime guitarist Steve Cradock, horn / flute player Jacko Peake, bassist Jake Fletcher, keyboardist Tom Van Heel, drummer / guitarist Steve Pilgrim and drummer / percussionist Ben Gordelier. Anticipation was high. The band delivered and then some.

A 23-song main set was followed by a four-song encore, tagged with a further two songs. It was an excellent show, from the incredible performances of the musicians, to the venue’s superb acoustics. Weller was in fine voice, but it can’t be overstated how good his band is. Weller’s music covers a wide spectrum, the multi-instrumentalist side of the group really adds to the onstage magic, the songs’ live arrangements letting every instrument shine through.

Opening strong with “Cosmic Fringes,” from 2021’s album, Fat Pop, the audience was on its feet from the moment Weller took the stage, really kicking into overdrive and erupting into what could only be described as “pure joy” at the start of the second song, “My Ever Changing Mood,” the first of three songs this evening from Weller’s Style Council years.
An early set highlight was 1993’s Wildwood album track, “All The Pictures on the Wall,” with Weller strumming an acoustic guitar and superb saxophone work from Peake. Also extra good was the soulful Style Council tune “Shout to the Top.” However, the main set’s top moment came with Weller hitting the opening chords of The Jam’s “That’s Entertainment.” It was a passionate version, made stronger by a full band arrangement and having Pilgrim and Cradock strumming along with Weller, topped by the audience joining in on the backing vocals.
Weller and the band seemed to be having a great time onstage, with plenty of banter and each band member taking a turn at introducing a song. Cradock even spoke about the band exploring the area around the Magnolia.
While the big vintage hits were well received, Weller’s newer tunes scored nearly as big with the audience, notably, “Jumble Queen,” a co-write with Noel Gallagher from the latest album, prefaced by a quip about the recent Oasis reunion, was a clear audience favorite.
The main set ended with the one-two-three punch of Weller’s early 1990’s solo singles, “Into Tomorrow,” “Out of the Sinking,” and “Peacock Suit.”
The first encore kicked off with a terrific version of “The Changing Man,” and included the song “Wild Wood,” with Pilgrim taking part of the lead vocal on what he introduced as “an Irish folk song,” closing this mini-set with “Rockets.”
Weller and the band left the stage once more, returning to ask if anyone had any requests. Capping off a terrific night of music, Weller proceeded to blast through two of The Jam’s best-known songs, “Start!” and “Town Called Malice,” cueing a huge roar from the crowd. The latter kicked off with Weller on tambourine, the audience taking the chorus amidst much dancing in the aisles.

A great show, start to finish, well-paced and well played. Paul Weller is three decades into a solo career that finds him continuing to make great music both in the studio and onstage. If you have a chance to see him live, don’t miss it. In the meantime, here’s hoping it won’t be another seven years before he returns to San Diego.
Main Set: Cosmic Fringes / My Ever Changing Moods / Soul Wandering / That Pleasure / Headstart for Happiness / All the Pictures on the Wall / Stanley Road / Glad Times / More / Have You Ever Had It Blue / Village / Fat Pop / Hung Up / Shout to the Top! / That’s Entertainment / Broken Stones / Rise Up Singing / Nothing / Above the Clouds / Jumble Queen / Into Tomorrow / Out of the Sinking / Peacock Suit
Encore 1: The Changingman / Porcelain Gods / Wild Wood / Rockets
Encore 2: Start! / Town Called Malice