PAUL WELLER hasn’t played Bournemouth since his Wake Up The Nation tour several years ago, so it was a pilgrimage to Southampton to see the Modfather in action. It’s been a good time for Paul of late with critical praise for new album Sonik Kicks and recent headlining turn at the Isle of Wight festival.

Perhaps it was this adulation that found Paul and his band in a comfortable and assured place on stage. The usual Weller fire was replaced by a feel-good vibe that saw the first 40 minutes coast along with assorted numbers such as Dragonfly, Going Places and an outing for The Style Council’s My Ever Changing Mood.

When it seemed the audience were getting too relaxed, Paul casually upped the tempo. “This is an old English folk song” and we were gifted That’s Entertainment, followed by Start! and Changing Man.

After a cigarette break length of time, Paul and the boys returned for an encore that saw That Dangerous Age and a glorious Town Called Malice that lifted the roof of the Guildhall. Not a vintage performance, but one that will undoubtedly grow as the tour continues.

Now fingers crossed for that date in Bournemouth.