The TK Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions drew to a triumphant, sun-drenched close last night (Sunday, 5 July), with the welcome return of a true British musical icon: Paul Weller.
Providing a musical warm-up to what felt like an early-hours Mexican standoff ahead of England’s football match, there were as many England shirts in the crowd as there were Fred Perrys – although far be it from us to suggest who looked more sartorially elegant.
With temperatures still coasting in the mid-20s, gig-goers were treated to the absolute best of Bedford Park in the evening sunshine; a wonderful, vibrant advertisement for our town.
Opening the evening were Manchester four-piece Arkayla, who stepped up admirably to warm the crowd up.
The indie guitar-pop outfit had been bumped up the bill following the last-minute cancellation of fellow support act Miles Kane due to sudden illness.
Formed in 2020, Arkayla’s energetic brand of guitar pop proved to be the perfect aperitif to the main event, getting the rapidly expanding crowd in the mood for the Modfather.
“Through the decades, through the centuries”
Opening with the raw, heavy energy of 2008’s ‘Rip the Pages Up’, Weller and his eight-piece backing band, featuring a three-piece horn section and a relentless twin-drummer setup, took to the stage, setting the scene for a marathon two-and-a-half-hour performance.
Addressing the crowd for the first time, Weller joked: “We’ve got a very long set, so I hope you’re up for it,” before warning that the evening would be “coursing through the decades, through the centuries,” much to the crowd’s amusement.
With a career spanning six decades, Weller has an enviably large back catalogue to draw on, and last night’s massive 31-song setlist served up something for everyone.
Alongside the frontman, long-time collaborator and Ocean Colour Scene guitarist Steve Cradock was on fine form, called upon to introduce the brilliant ‘The Weaver’ from 1993’s Wild Wood album.
As the epic set progressed, instantly recognisable classics were seamlessly woven alongside deeper cuts spanning The Jam, The Style Council, and Weller’s extensive solo career.
Bassist Jake Fletcher even stepped up to deliver lead vocals on The Jam’s 1980 classic ‘Man in the Corner Shop ‘, and his backing vocals were exceptional.
Weller’s hard-working guitar tech, Roger, also earned a massive roar from the audience when introduced. To say Roger put in an absolute shift would be an understatement, swapping out Weller’s guitars for almost every single track.
A promise kept
As the opening chords rang out for the perennial crowd-pleaser ‘You Do Something To Me’, it was clear that for many couples in the audience, the song holds a special significance.
Taking a brief breath, Weller teased the audience: “Anymore for anymore? We’re only halfway through, but don’t worry, I’ll get you home in time for the football.”
For a man who has spent nearly fifty years at the forefront of British music, Weller’s vocal quality, musicianship, and sheer swagger remain entirely untouched.
Leaving the stage to the final bars of ‘Peacock Suit’, it wasn’t long before the sight of Roger walking back out, guitar in hand, signalled the band’s return.
The acoustic perfection of ‘English Rose’ kicked off a staggering seven-song encore.
The night culminated in a rendition of ‘A Town Called Malice’, sounding every bit as vital and urgent as it did when it topped the charts over four decades ago.
It was a fittingly legendary end to a stellar Summer Sessions series that has firmly cemented Bedford Park on the UK’s live music map.
Roll on 2027…
The reviewers were gifted concert tickets to facilitate this review.
