The Modfather returns to York – Paul Weller booked for the Barbican

He’s one of the most influential artists in British popular music today – and he clearly likes York.

Paul Weller will return to the Barbican next April, just over two years since he last played the venue.

The man who, at different stages of his 40-year career, brought us hits songs including Town Called Malice, Walls Come Tumbling Down, Wild Wood and Pick It Up, will be in town on Friday, April 7 2017.

Tickets costing £43.68 go on sale this Friday (December 9) at 10am. See the Barbican website for full details.

Amazing career

Having split up The Jam at the height of their powers in 1982 after six era-defining albums, Paul Weller spent the rest of the Eighties challenging pop convention with The Style Council. The band released five albums during an eclectic career.

Forging a solo career in the early nineties Paul Weller was reinstalled as one of the pre-eminent songwriters of his generation with 12 solo albums to him name and winning a long list of awards including the prestigious Ivor Norvello award for Lifetime achievement in 2010 and the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 2006.

New album

In 2012, he was among the British cultural icons selected by artist Sir Peter Blake to appear in a new version of his most famous artwork – the Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover – to celebrate the British cultural figures of his life. 

Called The Modfather, such is his influence on the bands and songwriters who came after him, Paul Weller is “one of the most revered music writers and performers of the past 30 years” according to the BBC.

“Apart from David Bowie, it’s hard to think of any British solo artist who’s had as varied, long-lasting and determinedly forward-looking a career,” agreed the Daily Telegraph.

Paul’s 13th solo album will be out in the spring on Parlophone Records.