Slams Mor Festivals Paul Weller

Paul Weller reckons festivals have become ''middle of the road" and too media orientated.

As the Modfather the veteran singer and guitarist known affectionately - at festivals has played across the world for decades with The Jam, The Style Council and as a solo artist, but reckons overall festivals ar starting to become too media friendly.

At the Virgin Media speaking V Festival, he told Absolute Radio: "I can't remember the right expression actually, but it's become more middle of the road.

"Around TV and radio its more built - not that I'm trying to bite the hand that feeds me - but it's quite true.

"I mean, I can only compare it to like when you talk about '96 or when we did Glastonbury in '94, when you could stretch out and you could jam on tunes and people were up for that, and now it's a little bit more geared towards the greatest hits I think."

Paul said there has also been some practices by audiences creeping in that he certainly doesn't welcome, namely hurling certain objects at the stage.

He added: "I think that's a fairly new sort of phenomenon really - the chucking of the p**s. I personally wouldn't recommend it.

"But I've been hit by things onstage many times."

'Wake Up The Nation' Paul Weller's latest album is out now

Paul Weller: Prepare New Single 'Fast Car/ Slow Traffic'

Paul Weller is set to release new single 'Fast Car / Slow Traffic' on September 13th.
Paul Weller is enjoying an unbelievable late burst to his career. An undeniable icon, the Modfather is choosing to take risks where other artists from the same generation are resting on their laurels.
With his new album returning 'Wake Up The Nation' earlier this year, Paul Weller seemed to have more energy than artists half his age. Fresh from scooping a BRIT award the singer took on board political concerns for a spiky, enraged return.
In a decade perhaps his best album, 'Wake Up The Nation' rightfully earned a nomination at the Mercury Music Prize. After winning a BRIT award could fate smile twice on the legendary songwriter?
Supporting the album with lung bursting tours, Paul Weller on September 13th is set to release a new single. A double A-side the single features 'Fast Car / Slow Traffic' backed with 'Andromeda'.
Recorded with former Jam cohort Bruce Foxton, 'Fast Car / Slow Traffic' is apparently inspired by life in London. Paul Weller said, "It's a real London tune. It's a pretty full on. It was actually interesting to hear Bruce playing on it. You can immediately tell it's him".
In addition to the new single Paul Weller has confirmed details of a lengthy British tour. Opening on November 23rd in Brighton, the tour moves around the country taking in a number of venues.
Running throughout November and December, Paul Weller is set to finish the tour with a celebratory show at London's Wembley Arena.
Paul Weller is set to play the following shows:
November

23 Brighton Centre

24 Brighton Centre

26 Birmingham Arena

27 Cardiff International Arena

28 Bournemouth International Centre

30 Sheffield Arena
December

1 Newcastle Arena

3 Manchester Arena

4 Glasgow SECC

5 Aberdeen SECC

7 Blackpool Empress Ballroom

8 Liverpool Arena10 London Wembley Arena

Paul Weller says Hannah Andrews is his soulmate

Paul Weller has spoken for the first time about his "soulmate" girlfriend who is less than half his age.
The singer, 51, was first seen with 24-year-old Hannah Andrews in 2008 - and many critics said it wouldn't last.
But after more than a year together Weller, who was previously in a relationship for 13 years, said: "It's funny to think that after all these years I've finally met my soulmate. And at my age.

"All I can say is that I am very, very much in love."
The dad-of-five, known as The Modfather, also said he is very close to his kids - some of whom are just a few years younger than Hannah, including son Natt, 20.
He told Word: "My daughter has me down as The Modfather in her phone. But that's just her taking the p*ss.
"Natt allowed me to go to one of his club nights once. I got ushered in and put in the disabled section. I do embarrass him sometimes when I get a bit sh***ed."

Paul Weller awarded with Shockwaves NME Awards.

Paul Weller named Godlike Genius at Shockwaves NME Awards.Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie and former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, whose bands have both claimed the prize before, presented Weller with the honour.Weller then performed a six-song set with his solo band that spanned his career and brought the Shockwaves NME Awards to a close.

Weller than went on the stage and said:

"What could I say, it's taken them 30 years," he said first, before adding: "I'm embarrassed because people said so many nice things about me... but they're all true! God bless you, have a good night!"

Paul Weller For Haiti Benefit

Mod icon Paul Weller is amongst the latest group of acts to be confirmed for a special Haiti benefit show.

The disaster in Haiti has united the world in sorrow. The tiny Caribbean island, already one of the poorest areas in the region, was struck by an enormous earthquake centred on its densely populated capital.

Since then, aid has flooded into Haiti with global appeals resulting in some enormous events. In the United States George Clooney and Haiti born star Wyclef Jean hosted a new telethon which raised countless millions for those suffering on the island.

Now a new event in London aims to raise more money for the island. Hosted in the historic Roundhouse venue on February 25th, the new event will donate all profits to ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontières.

With more acts being confirmed all the time, organisers Beanstalk have revealed that British songwriting legend Paul Weller is to perform at the event.

Set to return with his new album 'Wake Up The Nation' later this year Paul Weller is on ferocious form. Winning 'Best British Male' at the BRIT awards last year, the singer has proved that he can match the energy of bands half his age.

Joining Paul Weller at the show will be Sheffield rabble rousers Reverend And The Makers. Jon McClure and Co. will bring the noise at the London event, alongside appearances from Scottish singer KT Tunstall and more.

Haitian visual artist Andre Eugene the progenitor of the Grand Rue movement in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, who will be flying over and presenting work and photography by artists involved in Ghetto Biennale Arts Festival Port Au Prince in the bars and foyer of the Roundhouse.
Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser takes place at London's Roundhouse venue on February 25th.

Helps out with soul compilation to Paul Weller

Paul Weller has come together with DJ Keb Darge to release a compilation called 'Lost & Found; Real R'N'B & Soul'. The double album will feature forgotten soul tracks from the '50s and '60s, and will be released on January 18 next year. Darge has picked the songs on the 'A' side of the record, while Weller has chosen the tracks for the 'B' side.In the liner notes for the record, Darge writes about how he first met Weller in a urinal at a birthday party for Weller's sister Nicky's boyfriend. he said: "Paul walked in as I was relieving myself and said he was enjoying the tunes. I later found out from Nicky that he was also an avid collector, and had been for as long as myself."Side A Tracklisting:Keb Darge’s ChoiceBig Mama Thornton - 'They Call Me Big Mama'The Brothers Of Soul - 'Come On Back' The Tempos - '(Countdown) Here I Come' Epitome Of Sound - 'You Don’t Love Me' Daddy Cleanhead & The Chuck Higgins Band - 'Something’s Going On In My Room' The Casanova - 'Two We Got To Keep On' The Creations - 'A Dream' Elsie Wheat - 'Tippin'Sarah Dean With Freddie Mitchell Orchestra - 'Long Lean Daddy'Billy Fair & Orchestra - 'I’ll Be True To You'The Cadets - 'I Want You' Velma Cross & Her High Steppers - 'I’ll Be Oh So Good'Big T Tyler - 'King Kong' The Flirtations - 'Stronger Than Her Love' The Great Experience - 'Don’t Forget To Remember'Side B Tracklisting:Paul Weller’s ChoiceThe Intruders - 'Hang On In There'Major Lance - 'Rhythm' Margie Joseph - 'One More Chance'Tammi Terrell - 'All I Do Is Think About You'The Dells - 'Wear It On Your Face' Bobby Bland - 'Honey Child' The Radiants - 'Aint No Big Thing' Albert King - 'Crosscut Saw' Jimmy Witherspoon - 'Money Is Getting Cheaper' Billy Watkins - 'The Ice-Man' Eddie Giles - 'Losin' Boy' Emmitt Long - 'Call Me' Slim Harpo - 'I Got Love If You Want It'

Paul Weller: Paul Weller helps out with soul compilation

Paul Weller has come together with DJ Keb Darge to release a compilation called 'Lost & Found; Real R'N'B & Soul'. The double album will feature forgotten soul tracks from the '50s and '60s, and will be released on January 18 next year. Darge has picked the songs on the 'A' side of the record, while Weller has chosen the tracks for the 'B' side.In the liner notes for the record, Darge writes about how he first met Weller in a urinal at a birthday party for Weller's sister Nicky's boyfriend. he said: "Paul walked in as I was relieving myself and said he was enjoying the tunes. I later found out from Nicky that he was also an avid collector, and had been for as long as myself."

Side A Tracklisting:

Keb Darge’s Choice

Big Mama Thornton - 'They Call Me Big Mama'

The Brothers Of Soul - 'Come On Back'

The Tempos - '(Countdown) Here I Come'

Epitome Of Sound - 'You Don’t Love Me'

Daddy Cleanhead & The Chuck Higgins Band -

Something’s Going On In My Room'

The Casanova - 'Two We Got To Keep On'

The Creations - 'A Dream'

Elsie Wheat - 'Tippin'

Sarah Dean With Freddie Mitchell Orchestra - 'Long Lean Daddy'

Billy Fair & Orchestra - 'I’ll Be True To You'

The Cadets - 'I Want You'

Velma Cross & Her High Steppers - 'I’ll Be Oh So Good'

Big T Tyler - 'King Kong'

The Flirtations - 'Stronger Than Her Love'

The Great Experience - 'Don’t Forget To Remember'

Side B Tracklisting:

Paul Weller’s Choice

The Intruders - 'Hang On In There'

Major Lance - 'Rhythm'

Margie Joseph - 'One More Chance'

Tammi Terrell - 'All I Do Is Think About You'

The Dells - 'Wear It On Your Face'

Bobby Bland - 'Honey Child'

The Radiants - 'Aint No Big Thing'

Albert King - 'Crosscut Saw'

Jimmy Witherspoon - 'Money Is Getting Cheaper'

Billy Watkins - 'The Ice-Man'

Eddie Giles - 'Losin' Boy'

Emmitt Long - 'Call Me'

Slim Harpo - 'I Got Love If You Want It'