On this day, 19 May 2000, The Modfather, Paul Weller played Cardiff International Arena.
The tour coincided with the April release of Weller’s fifth solo album ‘Heliocentric’ – his first since 1997’s ‘Heavy Soul’ which peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums chart.
There were rumours at the time that Heliocentric would be Weller's final studio effort, but these proved unfounded when he released the No. 1 hit album Illumination in September 2002.
Weller was born on 25 May 1958 in Woking, Surrey, England, to John and Ann Weller (née Craddock). Although born John William Weller, he became known as Paul by his parents.
Weller's musical vocation was confirmed after seeing Status Quo in concert in 1972. He formed the first incarnation of the Jam in the same year, playing bass guitar with his best friends Steve Brookes (lead guitar) and Dave Waller (rhythm guitar).
Weller's father, acting as their manager, began booking the band into local working men's clubs. Joined by Rick Buckler on drums, and with Bruce Foxton soon replacing Waller on rhythm guitar, the four-piece band began to forge a local reputation, playing a mixture of Beatles covers and a number of compositions written by Weller and Brookes.
Brookes left the band in 1976, and Weller and Foxton decided they would swap guitar roles, with Weller now the guitarist.
Weller became interested in 1960s mod culture in late 1974, particularly after hearing 'My Generation' by the Who.
As a result, he began riding a Lambretta scooter, styling his hair like Steve Marriott and immersing himself in 1960s soul and R&B music.
At his instigation, the Jam began wearing mohair suits onstage and he and Foxton began playing Rickenbacker guitars (as favoured by the Who and the Beatles in the mid-1960s).
He has been a committed mod ever since, declaring in a 1991 interview that, "I'll always be a mod. You can bury me a mod".
Setlist
Friday Street
Out of the Sinking
Into Tomorrow
Back in the Fire
Dust and Rocks
Peacock Suit
Heavy Soul
(Parts 1 & 2)
With Time & Temperance
Frightened
You Do Something to Me
The Changingman
Porcelain Gods
There's No Drinking After You're Dead
As You Lean Into the Light
Broken Stones
Picking Up Sticks
Love-Less
Encore:
Wild Wood
Sunflower
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