Paul Weller As Eager As Ever At The Vic

By Casey Moffitt in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 19, 2015 6:30PM

Photo credit: Julian Broad

As soon as Paul Weller strode onto the stage at The Vic Theater Wednesday, it was obvious he was ready to put on a show. After a brief acknowledgment to the crowd, Weller picked up his guitar, plucked out the opening riff to "White Sky" (the first song off his new album) and didn't hold anything back for the rest of the night.

Weller showed he still is a vibrant performer and artist. Those looking for a setlist of greatest hits didn't get it. He plugged six of the nine tunes from his latest studio effort, Saturns Pattern, into the set with the rest mainly sticking to material from his solo career, which now spans a dozen albums.

Although Weller ended the night with his third encore performing a rousing rendition "Town Called Malice," it was the only instance in which he pulled out any songs from The Jam's catalogue.

Weller is not one who seems particularly interested in looking back or wallowing in nostalgia, nor does he have to in order give a great performance. He's continued to produce very good rock songs throughout his whole career and doesn't have to rely on past glories.

His evolving style has given his material a fresh and urgent feel and he easily can rely upon it to deliver a show that's not going to disappoint.

He reminded us of his fascination with R&B and Stax Trax-era soul music throughout the set with tunes like the mellow "Above the Clouds" or "Porcelain Gods" to the rattling "From the Floorboards Up."

Weller's voice is in terrific condition and he sang his hallmark melodies with ease. He also continues to play a slick guitar and can tear off a mean solo when he wants to. He's adept at hanging back, deftly laying down a rhythm and allowing his bandmates to take the spotlight as well.

And they certainly deserved to have their fun in the set. Longtime Weller sidekick, guitarist Steve Cradock, is no slouch on the axe, and the rest of his five-piece backing band is well-rehearsed and firing on all cylinders.

Weller looked trim and relatively fit, dressed in a navy henley, grey slacks and black shoes. It was a relatively subdued look for the man they call the Modfather because of his style, but still it was a classy look. It would be a major disappointment to see Weller dressed like slob.

The healthy crowd at The Vic was wildly enthusiastic throughout Weller's 105-minute set, and weren't excited to let him go. He came out to perform three encores, each one more urgent than the last until the final ramp up of "Town Called Malice," which may have been the most energetic song of the night.

Weller showed, even after nearly 40 years of performing and writing songs, that at age 57 he's still got the fire to put on a mean rock show with little filler, allowing his music to do the talking for him. After Wednesday's performance, it looks like Weller isn't ready to slow down any time soon.