Here I am again stuck in a quandary about an old idol. I loved The Jam, and really really liked Style Council, but that was mega decades ago. Long gone is the stove pipe pant wearing cool cat singer for these historic groups. Paul Weller isn’t dead, but like Johnny Marr he has aged and kept the hairstyle of his youth as some sort of security blanket anchor to the glory days.
I suppose at his age we should be glad he has hair- but it’s just sort of sad when you think of it as a crutch. Weller tours on occasion and in July is doing a very limited number of tiny venue or ‘intimate’ shows. Really not that intimate if its over 50 people but thats what they like to call it in the trades. Weller is coming to U.S. in July because, ‘I just fancied playing a few American shows.’
Weller told Billboard ‘It’s just sort of a financial thing, really, for me. It’s difficult to go to play to 400 people in Texas. I have to make it pay; band and equipment and all that is expensive, so it never gets any more extensive than major cities on the east and west coasts. But I really enjoy playing America. I like the audiences there. It’s the home of a lot of music I grew up with. I’m not expecting American chart domination or to be No. 1, and just want to come and play and still go home with my shirt on my back.’
Quandary over- I’m gonna pass.
Dates:
◾07/25 ‘ New York, NY ‘ The Apollo
◾07/26 ‘ New York, NY ‘ Webster Hall
◾07/27 ‘ Brooklyn, NY ‘ Music Hall Of Williamsburg
◾07/28 ‘ Boston, MA ‘ Boston Royale
◾07/30 ‘ Washington DC ‘ 9:30 Club
◾07/31 ‘ Philadelphia, PA ‘ Union Transfer