REVIEW: Paul Weller, Sherwood Pines Forest Park
AND some say the former Jam man doesn't have a sense of humour...
Actually, playing a show in this idyllic setting in Robin Hood's backyard has become something of a coveted gig rather than the test of artistic endurance outdoor bookings in Britain often represent. This was, in fact, Weller's second Sherwood fixture since the Forestry Commission devised the idea of getting music fans out into the sticks around the country.
Okay, so our man had barely struck a chord when the much-threatened rain began to fall but by the final bars of Peacock Suit the clouds were thinking better of it and come a vintage stomp through The Changing Man the damp panic was over. And with that 5000 fans and Weller settled into a crowd-pleasing setlist touching across this legend's enduring career with different-flavoured highlights from current album 22 Dreams through to Style Council livener Shout To The Top and Jam gem Eaton Rifles, 30 years old but here sounding as urgent as ever.
As the night began to close in and the stage lighting and that of the surrounding trees came into their own the delicate You Do Something To Me and Broken Stones hung in the air alongside a blissed out version of Wildwood as this unpredictable showman chatted and seemed to genuinely enjoy the moment of playing this unconventional venue once again.
Who says you can't see the Wildwood for the trees?
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Friday 10 February 2012
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