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Review Paul Weller At The iTunes Festival
The Modfather kicks off a month of free shows at London's KOKO as part of the 2008 iTunes Festival. We want to know what you thought - tell us and the best iTunes Festival review will win an iPod Touch!
The iTunes Festival kicks off again this month and Xfm will be in the thick of it. Coming from Camden’s illustrious Koko, the shindig will put the greatest artists into one of London’s greatest venues every day in July.
First up on Wednesday July 2 is none other than Paul Weller, old friend to Xfm and satorial inspiration to a generation of mods. He'll be performing alongside young pretenders Glasvegas, who notched up a very impressive set at Glastonbury last weekend and look set to become one of the major acts of 2008.
For more on the iTunes Festival and chances to win tickets to future events, click here.
Click Here to Download Paul Weller on iTunes
Pre-order More Exclusive Live Sets from the iTunes Festival here
Xfm wants to know what you thought of this impressive double header. What were the highlights? Are you enjoying The Modfather's new material, the highly-acclaimed '22 Dreams', or did he play any oldies that stirred your soul. And what do you reckon to Glasvegas - do you rate them as a major discovery, or a bunch of fancy haircuts with a couple of good tunes?
We'll be asking you for your opinion of the shows, if you're there in person, listening on air, or checking out our special podcasts online - and the best review (in our humble opinion) at the end of the iTunes Festival will be awarded with a shiny new iPod Touch! We'll be asking you for your reviews after every show, so get typin'.
Please note: winners will be chosen at the discretion of Xfm at midday on Monday, August 4. Winners will be notified by email. For full competition terms and conditions, click here.
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Life begins at 50?
Glasvegas opened the 2nd night of the iTunes festival at KOKO in Camden with tons of feedback and overdriven guitars. Sounding a bit like they are related to The Jesus and Mary chain in some way, not my cup of tea but they put on a good performance and the audience were appreciative. However, they were only the warm up act for the main event, and what an event!
There is something about Weller when he appears on a stage, he doesn't just own it, he owns the land it stands on and rents it out to everyone else! Peacock suit started the set and boy was he on fire! I hope I've got his energy when I'm 50. Closely followed up with his 'From the floorboards up' single and he showed no signs of slowing down, performing kicks, jumps and a few windmills that even Pete Townsend would have been proud to have performed.
Next up was the first taster from the new cd '22 Dreams', A medium paced 'All I wanna do' was also a crowd pleaser and it was performed with passion, fire and soul which really describes everything that Paul Weller is about. Weller also threw a few surprises into tonights show, including a reworked 'Wildwood' which featured a nice heavy echoey drum beat and sound effects.
Eternal crowd pleasers like 'Changing Man' and 'Broken Stones' also had new twists and turns added to them and Weller was encouraging his new band to 'jam' along on a few tunes, much to his and the audiences amusement. Another new laid back piano driven song from 22 Dreams, 'Invisible' was played with the full band and worked better than the version we were used to. In fact, every song from 22 Dreams sounded better live! they have more drive and power and the new line up have without question found their feet.
Biggest cheer of the night went without a shadow of a doubt to 'The Eton Rifles'. The average age of this audience was around 40 and it was like it was 1979 all over again for them and me. (Don't mention David Cameron)! He finished the night with a cracking version of the Beatles classic 'All you need is love' and left the stage having kicked microphones stands over, broken guitar strings, danced, jumped and leaped upon his guitar amps (And nearly fell straight back off)!
He may be half a Century old, but his fire definitely hasn't gone out. Everyone left this gig with massive grins on their faces. I have seen Weller live at least twenty times, and he always puts on a good show, but there was something special about this show. Everyone that was lucky enough to be there witnessed it and will no doubt never forget it.
Life begins at 50? Not Arf Mate. -
Glasvegas were absolutely crap, total nonchelant meloncoly songs that all sound the same witha really dull drum beat - how Weller ever let them slip through for support is beyond me - should have had The Troubadours a band that he actually likes
Weller was on fire every gig gets better this must be my 14th of this last tour and they are just getting better and better -
As a long time Weller fan (circa 1979), when presented with an opportunity of seeing him in such a small venue I jumped at the chance. I'd never been to the Koko before but had heard what a great place it was and I wasn't to be disappointed.
Glasvegas got the ball rolling, a band with a big sound with melodies reminiscent of a heavier Roxy Music crossed with New Order type drumming. A pretty good start!
Then it was the turn of the Modfather. From the moment the man himself arrived on stage blasting out souped up versions of 'Peacock Suit' & 'Floorboards' I knew it was going to be a night to remember. Not looking a day over 35 you could see he was up for this gig and meant business. It's the most content I have seen Weller in a long time. This new line up has obviously re ignited his 'lust for live' and his passion, energy and commitment was pretty amazing. A lot of older tunes have been 'beefed up' with the drummer in particular breathing new life into some songs.
Belting out tune after tune, a perfect blend of old and new (it must be getting difficult to choose a set list these days with such a superb back catalogue). From the tender ballad 'Invisible' to the perfect almost self-indulgent guitar work with Craddock at the end of 'Shadow of the Sun', a thunderous psychedelic 'Picking Up Sticks' to the soulful 'Have you made up your mind?' being my stand out moments.
'Eton Rifles' was the obvious crowd pleaser and for 3 minutes it was just like the Jam days all over again. The encore of 'All you need is love' rounded off the night perfectly. I could go into each tune but I won't bore you with it just make sure you check it out on ITV2 when it's shown.
On this form, even at 50 Weller is going nowhere, love him or loathe him, the man is a class act gaining new fans with each new album and is an inspiration to many.
Well done to Itunes & The Koko for putting this event together and if this gig is anything to go by then the forthcoming month should be brilliant, having said that Weller has set a very high benchmark which I doubt will be topped.
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Paul Weller at Koko! And so soon after the All Day breakfast!! What a treat, both for me (getting a rare evening to myself), and for Modfather-obssessed other half who headed to Camden (again) with best mate and fellow Weller-head. Post gig review from Nick: Good gig, different set list to last one, Peacock Suit and Eton Rifles, All You Need is Love (again). No fag break during the gig this time. Glasvegas had a few potential good ones.
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The mans a legend, his new material is so good. The atmosphere on Wednesday at the Koko club was electric and will stay with me forever. Im just amazed this man can keep turning out stuff like this. "All I wanna do is be with you " will still be a classic in years to come and as for giving us Eton Rifles ....well you just get blown away by this mans talent!!!! Come on lets all get together and get this man a knighthood..Arise Sir Paul!!
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Just like the old days!!!
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Passion, Energy and Quality. The best gig i have ever been too. Weller and his new band were on FIRE!!!
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In a word "Amazing" The Mod Father still has it!
One of the best Weller performance's i've seen by far, he played some old classics, some Jam and alot of New which has a brilliant sound.
Loved the venue, love Weller, loved the night! -
A sweltering July evening, the Koko decked out in purple, Glasvegas hit the stage, dressed in black and be quiffed I was expecting great things from this Glasgow band, An effects heavy sound and beach boys harmonies have lead to much hype, however a mix of unfamiliar songs and a crowd who were only there for Weller they didn't deliver tonight. Their sound suffered from feedback and the guitarists dad dancing was embarrassing. However 9.30 came and the purple drapes came back and Paul Weller and his band hit the stage, launching into a blistering Peacock suit, he played for 90 minutes a set that included songs from 22 dreams and his solo back catalogue, Paul was clearly enjoying himself and occasionally sneaked to the side of the stage for a crafty fag. Highlights were a organ driven Wild wood and a tight version of Eton rifles which brought the best croud reaction and sing-a-long of the night. Paul teased the crowd asking for requests which brought the obvious shouts for Jam classics before launching into solo classics. Ending the evening before playing the Beatles All you need is love, guitarist Steve Craddock shouted to the audience "did we want to hear going underground" cheekily rebuked by Weller that it was his show. You know what we didn't mind.
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What a great night!!
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