There are few backdrops in live music that can match the sheer, historic scale of Lincoln Castle, and on a balmy Saturday night, it proved to be the perfect setting for a masterclass from the Modfather himself, Paul Weller. Fresh off a superb opening slot from Miles Kane, Weller and his sprawling, top-tier band delivered a sprawling, career-spanning set that effortlessly bridged decades of British guitar music.
Kicking off the evening, Miles Kane made sure the energy was high from the first note. Clad in his signature sharp style, Kane immediately locked into a heavy, up-tempo groove with “Inhaler,” its powerful guitar intro getting heads nodding across the castle grounds. Pausing early on to dedicate “Without You” to Weller for having them out on the road, Kane worked the Lincoln crowd with the seasoned ease of a natural frontman. “Don’t Forget Who You Are” brought the first massive singalong of the night, its easy “la la la” refrain echoing off the ancient stone walls before Kane wrapped up a blistering set with a chaotic, high-energy performance of “Come Closer.”
By the time Paul Weller stepped out onto the stage, backed by a massive, formidable band boasting multiple guitarists, keys, drums, and a roaring brass section of saxophones and trumpets, the atmosphere was electric. Spotting Miles Kane watching intently from the audience, Weller launched into a set that refused to rely purely on nostalgia. Dropping a lesser-known track from 2020 early on, he joked with the crowd that it “came out around COVID, that’s why nobody has fucking heard it,” before cheekily adding, “When you get home, you can stream the fuck out of that.”
Moving over to the piano, Weller slowed the tempo for a beautiful rendition of “Broken Stones,” backed by a deep blue backdrop and a soaring harmonica solo that had the crowd eagerly taking over chorus duties.
Weller remains an artist who commands respect not just for his musical legacy, but for his enduring conviction. Before launching into a run of Style Council classics, he paused to deliver a poignant dedication. “I do care about humanity,” he told the crowd. “I’m going to dedicate this next one to the men, children, and babies of Palestine who have been massacred. It’s devastating.” Under a shifting blue light and a backdrop mimicking a white disco ball, he launched into “My Ever Changing Moods,” followed closely by a soulful “Never Had It Blue.” The brass section truly came alive for “Shout to the Top,” sending a wave of movement through the castle as hundreds of phones flew into the air to capture the moment.
Acknowledging a major milestone, Weller announced they were going to revisit a “popular album” from 30 years ago, dryly noting, “We don’t know why though.” What followed was a stunning run of tracks from Stanley Road. The title track’s catchy drum and brass intro saw Weller return to the piano, leading seamlessly into the crowd-favourite “You Do Something to Me,” which had the entire courtyard swaying and singing every word.
The groove stayed deep and gentle for “Long Hot Summer” and the golden-lit “Can You Heal Us (Holy Man),” before Weller strapped his electric guitar back on to inject some raw rock and roll back into the night with “More” and “Out of the Sinking.”
The biggest roars of the evening, however, were reserved for the classics. “We would like to play you a very old tune now, if you know it, join in,” Weller teased, triggering a massive, collective singalong to The Jam’s iconic “That’s Entertainment.” The main set wrapped up in a flurry of funky brass and driving rhythm with “Peacock Suit” and a powerful rendition of “Shadow of the Sun.”
Answering the inevitable roaring encore, Weller emerged with an acoustic guitar for a solo, spellbinding performance of The Jam’s “English Rose,” earning one of the loudest plaudits of the night. The rest of the band then rejoined him to send the energy through the roof, tearing through “The Changingman” and a ferocious “Eton Rifles.” Closing the night by introducing his phenomenal band one final time, Weller proved that even after decades at the top, his live show remains as vital, sharp, and unmatched as ever.
0 Comments