Morning:
14°c
Some fares could fall by more than a third when Oyster is extended to every national rail station in London, it has emerged
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Critic rating
Reader rating
Description: The singer-songwriter and former frontman of The Jam and The Style Council takes a trip through his back catalogue, plus songs from his album 22 Dreams.
Phone: 0844477 2000
Website: www.brixton-academy.co.uk
Email: mail@brixton-academy.co.uk
Trains: Tube/BR: Brixton 
, Tube / Bus: 2, 35, 37, 59, 109, 133, 159, 333, 432 
Extra info: Pub
Hitting the sweet spot: Paul Weller played an acoustic set during his Brixton gig
It was once said that Paul Weller is the John Lennon of the Grange Hill generation. Judging by the intense admiration his live audiences feel for the 50-year-old musician, there’s a case for arguing that Mr Angry of Woking is in fact bigger than the late Beatle.
As Weller approached the stage, his distinct duck-footed gait and absurd Steve Marriot-style hairstyle easily recognisable, a roar went up that would have done Stamford Bridge on a Saturday afternoon proud. Peacock Suit and Changing Man were delivered in Weller’s tight, punchy style; a style that on a good day could floor Joe Calzaghe.
The poppy and rather naff Style Council hit Shout To The Top was reworked into a foot-stomping number that sent the audience into a swaying, baying mob. This was followed by The Jam’s Eton Rifles, hilariously cited by Old Etonian David Cameron as being a seminal influence, that virtually had them storming the ramparts.
This appetite for his old hits is a cross which Weller bears with good grace; pausing to thank the audience for being livelier than the previous evening’s lot. A move which had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. The psychedelic version of Porcelain God, Wishing On A Star and the brilliant Brand New Start were proof that Weller is at his best in front of a London audience. There’s something about the geezerishness of Weller that clicks with fans in the capital unlike, say, Glastonbury or Birmingham.
In return for airing the old faves, the audience was subjected to a brief interval of what can best be described as tapas bar music - Weller, guitarist Steve Craddock and the crew all plonking themselves on Val Doonican stools for an acoustic orgy of some length. Patience and tolerance were rewarded with a guitarless Weller crooning Wild Wood; an anthem that never fails to hit the crowd’s sweet spot. And talking of sweet spots, nothing could have been sweeter than the encore of Town Called Malice. Who would have thought that the 1982 Jam hit of washed-up, broke Britain would have as much relevance 26 years later.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Well said Jim! Weller rocks! I was one of the baying rabble, tapping my duck feet to Eton Rifles and was transported back to when the Jam was new. Age hasn't withered, nor custon staled Mr Angry of Woking one bit. A true model for us oldies!
- Jam Every Day, London, England
