Gig played on 05/12/05

"Well-ahh…Well-ahh…Well-ahhhh..." That Paul Weller remains God to the so-called £50 man was never really in doubt - but to witness this veneration in the flesh is quite something. The Modfather may be wrinkled round the edges (his feathercut fast resembling that of an ancient but dignified swan) but he has grown old gracefully and his fashion sense remains shrewd and well-pressed. Sartorially, Weller has always been sharp as nails (they'll take his Italian loafers from him with their cold dead hand) and for this audience of blokes - and a Weller concert is mainly blokes - the man in the Peacock suit will always be the litmus test of cool.

Recognition for outstanding services to music at next year's Brits is long overdue. Of late, many have belittled Weller as little more than the grizzled bricklayer of Dadrock - a purveyor of meat and potatoes rock - but his career has been more eclectic than most. His followers might clamour for The Jam's more Alpha-male moments; and certainly, some of the less imaginative disciples, the aptly-named Ordinary Boys, support tonight.

But lest we forget, Weller split his power trio at the tender age of 23 to pursue a career of unhindered experimentation. The Style Council were influenced by Debussy and Acid House as much as chic French tailoring. And that's not forgetting their famously homo-erotic videos. No, from snotty Tory to Cappuccino Kid to GQ style icon, Weller has never been a follower.

And tonight he is in resplendent form. With that huge catalogue to cherrypick he has long entered Neil Young territory: a proper touring musician who will release albums of intermittent quality before unleashing a proper gem. That awful covers album ("Studio 15") suggested a creative full-stop, but with "As Is Now", his best in a decade, Weller cuts a reinvigorated figure.

Indeed, the likes of "From The Floorboards Up" and "Come On / Let's Go", are among tonight's highlights. Ally Pally will always be a beautifully-placed aircraft hanger, but Weller can still muster enough youthful anger to fill the room. Strutting and crowing he cuts into almighty renditions of "The Weaver", "Paper Smile" and "Blink And You'll Miss It" before revisiting his back pages with "Long Hot Summer", "That's Entertainment" and "In The Crowd". That geezer woodbine voice, as distinctive as ever, cuts any hint of nostalgia dead.

He finishes with "Foot Of The Mountain" - a rare outing for one of "Wild Wood"'s better songs - before returning with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans to encore with "We All Need Love". The faithful are rewarded with "Shout To The Top" and "A Town Called Malice", but the abiding memory will be the sheer force of his new material. He may be backed by ex-members of Ocean Colour Scene, but as a musical force Weller remains unrivalled and vital. This was a masterclass from an artist on form. May his fire never go out.

by Adam Webb