Gibson Foundation the philanthropic division of Gibson Guitar proudly sponsored Paul Weller’s acoustic headline show at The Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust Charity. Paul Weller was joined on stage by Ocean Colour Scenes Steve Craddock while the support came from new Welsh Soul sensation Duffy.
The show was part of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s week long run of charity concerts which is fronted by The Who’s lead singer Roger Daltrey. The sold-out concerts now in its eighth year kicked off on Tuesday 8th April with Madness followed by shows from Noel Fielding (Comedy night- Wed), Paul Weller and Duffy (Thursday), The Fratellis (Friday), Muse (Saturday) and David Gray, Joan Armatrading, Newton Faulkner and The Who closing the week with a rare acoustic set on Sunday 13th April.
Number one selling artist Duffy said 'There are more people in this room tonight than there are in my home town,' It was the 23-year-old's biggest gig so far, with room for all 2,550 residents of Nefyn, North Wales. But Duffy made the 3,700 capacity Royal Albert Hall feel intimate with her soulful and distinctive voice.
'I wish I had it,' admitted The Who's singer and Teenage Cancer Trust patron Roger Daltrey when he introduced Duffy to the stage, adding that she's 'put the soul back into soul music.' Duffy opened with Rockferry, the title track from her debut, which has become the UK’s fastest-selling album of the year. It ended with the No 1 hit single “Mercy” which got fans dancing. She left the stage to a standing ovation.
Paul Weller’s acoustic set was heavy on material from his most recent album, 2005's 'As Is Now', but also featured a trio of rare songs by The Jam in the shape of 'Beat Surrender', b-side 'Shopping', 'Start!' flipside 'Liza Radley' and 'Strange Town's other half, 'The Butterfly Collector'. Paul Weller performed with his Gibson J-45 and Gibson J-200 acoustic guitar throughout the 90 minute set.
Other highlights included a version of 'Stanley Road' closer 'Wings of Speed' with Paul Weller on piano, 'From The Floorboards Up' b-side 'Oranges And Rosewater', and a new song from the Paul’s forthcoming '22 Dreams' album entitled 'Why Walk When You Can Run'.
The set climaxed with a beautiful version of 'You Do Something To Me' which was followed by The Jam classic 'That's Entertainment'.
Paul Weller played:
'Savages'
'Shopping'
'Who Brings Joy'
'Oranges and Rosewater'
'Hung Up'
'Sweet Pea, My Sweet Pea'
'All on A Misty Morning'
'Pan'
'Wings of Speed'
'Into Tomorrow'
'Roll Along Summer'
'Liza Radley'
'The Butterfly Collector'
'Beware of Falling Rocks' (Steve Cradock solo)
'Why Walk When You Can Run'
'Foot of The Mountain'
'Shadow Of The Sun'
'I Wanna Make It Alright'
'Come On/Let's Go'
'You Do Something To Me'
'That's Entertainment'
For more information on the Teenage Cancer Trust and the annual Royal Albert Hall concerts please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org
Photo credit – Dean Fardell