The summer of 2026 has been made an unforgettable one for Paul Weller fans, thanks to his stellar performance at Southampton Summer Sessions.
Weller’s concert held in Guildhall Square contained a jam-packed setlist of over 30 songs spanning his incredible 50-year musical journey with The Jam, The Style Council and as a prolific solo artist. Hand-picked from the incredible arsenal of 28 studio albums he has released throughout his career, Weller brought out all the big guns, as well as some lesser played gems, much to the delight of the audience.
Arriving on a sun-soaked stage sporting double denim and sunglasses (only the Modfather can make double denim look uber cool!), Weller and his band, including his long-term bandmate, Steve Craddock, launched into Rip the Pages Up from his 2008 album 22 Dreams. This psychedelic, guitar-fuelled opener got the audience, and the band, fired up from the get-go.
Seasoned Weller fans were especially pleased to hear a generous sprinkling of The Jam hits throughout the gig, from the toe-tapping soul-fuelled Precious, through to fantastic renditions of Strange Town and Man in the Corner Shop. That’s Entertainment got the crowd singing along in unison to what surely is a national anthem of British life, while Eton Rifles got the audience pogoing as always. Another Jam treat was poignant love song English Rose, beautifully performed.
Hearing the band perform the Curtis Mayfield cover Move on Up was another unexpected Jam turn – the live version of the song featured on the free Live EP which came with the band’s final greatest hits compilation album, Snap in 1983.
An eclectic crowd packed into the square, ranging from faithful mods, who’ve travelled the passage of time with Weller, to followers of all ages who have joined the non-stop Weller train at various stations throughout his successful career.
It was heartening on this Summer Solstice Eve to hear more than a couple of tracks from Weller’s second solo album, Wild Wood (1993), which reached number 2 in the UK albums chart. These folk-infused, nature-inspired and thought-provoking songs were perfect for such a night and included The Weaver, Hung Up, Can You Heal Us Holy Man, Shadow of the Sun and All the Pictures on the Wall. The beautiful signature track, Wild Wood, (one of my therapy tracks as a 20-something navigating her way in life), was a magic moment for the audience in the encore, with a real outpouring of appreciation for this favourite.
Hits from Weller’s 1995 album Stanley Road evoked Brit Pop for fans and included Broken Stones, Out of the Sinking, Stanley Road and the popular love ballad You Do Something to Me, now a staple part of the pop music love song canon.
The Changing Man made for a rousing encore – a fitting song for the man who has evolved and developed throughout the decades as one of Britain’s most prolific singer/songwriters and musicians, on a par with Lennon and McCartney, his own musical heroes. Other 90s gems on the setlist included Up in Suze’s Room and Peacock Suit, both from Weller’s fourth album, Heavy Soul (1997).
Style Council fans in the audience were not disappointed, thanks to a medley of songs, beginning midway through the gig with My Ever Changing Moods (who can forget the video of a lycra-clad Paul and Mick Talbot cycling in the countryside?!). This was followed by more 80s chart-toppers – Have You Ever Had it Blue, Shout to the Top! and the very fitting and atmospheric Long Hot Summer – perfectly placed for the balmy evening in Southampton.
Some great tracks on Paul Weller’s post-Covid lockdown album On Sunset (2020), went down like old classics with the crowd and once again reminded us of the therapeutic value of music and connection during troubled times. Village and More were both well received.
Rockets was the perfect anthem to close an epic show, with its rousing orchestral arrangement and Bowie-esque undertones, Weller catapults you to outer space, only to bring you back down to earth with a well-meaning reminder to look beyond material possessions to find the true richness in life.
Paul Weller and his present band have been together for a number of years and it shows. They have truly perfected the art of performing Weller’s music live, bringing a richness, depth and confidence to every song on the set. Whether tackling the raw energy of The Jam, the smooth soul-pop of The Style Council, or the ever-evolving solo material, the musicianship on display was exceptional throughout.
Remarkably, Weller and his band seem to get better with every tour. Having seen them perform on numerous occasions over the years, this was, in my opinion, their finest show to date. The setlist, the performances and the connection between band and audience, all combined to create something truly magical. On this glorious summer evening in Southampton, Paul Weller and his band delivered an unforgettable gig that will live long in the memories of everyone fortunate enough to be there.
Photo credit: Susan Archer
