Jovel Music Hall, Münster, Germany17th April 2015
Paul Weller & The Vals
The British musician PAUL WELLER doesn't really need an introduction: if one considers everything he has done for pop music in the last 40 years he definitely counts as a legend. He profoundly changed the music scene with his bands THE JAM and THE STYLE COUNCIL. From punk to mod to a mature man: Even though PAUL WELLER has gotten older that doesn't mean that his music has become boring. In the past two years PAUL WELLER was already on tour in Germany. Now he was back for a few shows in April, presenting old classics as well as new songs from the record ‘Saturn's Pattern’ which is to be released this May.
The Vals
Belfast based band THE VALS, led songwriter Paul Doherty, span across many genre's with their upbeat melodic sounds. Since its foundation, the band has seen many line-up changes with Doherty the only constant member. In 2009 they released their debut album 'Sticks and Stones' via Electrique Mud. Several singles were released at the same label. To coincide with the release of their debut album, the band played a European tour which took in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland and the UK. In 2011 THE VALS collaborated with former Paul McCartney and Wings guitarist Henry McCullough on the single 'Look to the One'. The band’s second album, 'Wildflower Way', was out in 2014. Now in 2015 they embarked on their biggest tour to date as special guests of PAUL WELLER through-out Europe. THE VALS is Paul Doherty, Matt Rice, Conor McCaffrey, Orlagh McCrink, Chris Leebody and Emma Stevenson, latter one not being in stage in Münster. http://www.thevals.co.uk / https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Vals/64086689173
Music & Performance
Supporting act THE VALS already entered the stage at 19.30… thirty minutes before the announced time. And I was really happy to be early enough to at least see most of the show even though I missed its beginning. The most remarkable thing on stage was the big piano, adding kind of classical touch to the songs you could overall describe as a mix of pop, rock, psychedelia, and folk with kind of orchestral instrumentation. The setlist of course included songs of the both released albums, reminding of the rock and folk of the sixties and finding an attentive audience of people mostly being in their forties or fifties. The short show – the set ended already five minutes before eight – was supported by a fine light show which is rather rare for a supporting act. Overall I must say PAUL WELLER did really chose the right band to support him.
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 7
Light: 8
Total: 7.8 / 10
Paul Weller
British singer, musician, composer and fashion designer PAUL WELLER is called the “Godfather of Britpop” or the “Modfather”. He is well-known as singer and guitarist of British band THE JAM, and later on for his band THE STYLE COUNCIL. Since 1992 he is working as solo artist. His best known solo albums are Wild Wood (1993) and Stanley Road (1995). Already at the end of the 1990s, WELLER collected his greatest hits on the record ‘Modern Classics’. In 2014 the godfather introduced his most recent Best Of record: ‘More Modern Classics’ uniting 20 hits from the past fifteen years of WELLER’s career. Besides, a new album is on the way as well. It is called ‘Saturns Pattern’ and will be released May 18th. On stage, WELLER is supported of course by a band consisting of Steve Cradock on guitar, Andy Lewis (bass), Andy Crofts (keyboard), Steve Pilgrim (drums) and Ben Gordelier (percussion). http://www.paulweller.com / https://www.facebook.com/paulwellerofficial
Music & Performance
The “Modfather! Entered the stage already short before 8:30, very early on a Friday evening. Since the tickets were quite expensive, the hall was not sold-out, but very well filled at the end. The two hour show was exciting and surprising the fans. WELLER is still very fit for his 56 years. He looks good, is well trained and vivid on stage. No sign of tiredness. Ballads were hard to find in the set (even though not completely missing) and he and his band presented mostly the up-tempo songs from his repertoire. The stage design is kind of sparse with a few retro lamps and the instruments. But anything is accompanied by a fine light show. There is no darkness on stage. Those musicians wanted to be seen! And what you saw were musicians full on enthusiasm. The set presented lots of PAUL WELLER’s solo songs. Of course several news ones from the upcoming album were included. Weller still impresses with a lot of soul in his voice, especially during the calmer songs, and his performance was loudly applauded by the audience. First, it did not really look like Weller would play one of the songs of his earlier bands. Already two encores had passed and no sign of any old songs.
But finally the surprise happened and the band return to stage for a third time to play THE JAM hit ‘Town Called Malice’. Really a great final for the fans who were leaving the hall with happy faces.
Setlist
01. White Sky
02. Come On/Let's Go
03. I'm Where I Should Be
04. Kosmos
05. When Your Garden's Overgrown
06. Into Tomorrow
07. Around the Lake
08. Saturn's Pattern
09. Empty Ring
10. Going My Way
11. Long Time
12. From the Floorboards Up
13. Above the Clouds
14. The Attic
15. Friday Street
16. Porcelain Gods
17. Brand New Toy
18. Peacock Suit
19. Whirlpool's End
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20. These City Streets
21. Foot Of The Mountain
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22. Picking Up Sticks
23. The Changingman
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24. Town Called Malice (The Jam song)
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 9
Sound: 8
Light: 8
Total: 9.5 / 10
All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet)
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