BBC Announces Paul Weller Will Open Electric Proms

The Proms, short for “promenade concert,” are an old and honored (or better, honoured) British tradition held at the Royal Albert Hall. The last night, in particular, is worth turning up for just to watch the flagwaving crowd prepare for the end of summer. The BBC, in its wisdom, has decided to launch a pop music version at the venerable Roundhouse in Camden, London (which might count as the Royal Albert Hall for rockers were it not for the Hammersmith Palais). The first night is October 25th, with The Magic Numbers supporting the Modfather himself, Paul Weller.

Regular readers know that Mr. Weller is a fave rave at this journal. From the first chord of The Jam’s “Art School” (cut one on “In the City,” the first album), to the last note on “Catch Flame,” his music has constantly evolved – whether he gets better or merely different is a matter of taste. The important thing is that he isn't stuck on yesterday. He’s a rock star who doesn’t believe much of his own press.

The e-Proms will run from October 25 through the 29th and will feature, in addition to Mr. Weller and the Magic Numbers: Billy Bragg (another fave rave), Jamiroquai, and Fatboy Slim. Jazz will be nicely represented by Hugh Hopper & Seb Rochford, John Surman & Dave Okumu, John Taylor & Tom Arthurs. Fans of Asian Bhangra and such can look forward to Tigerstyle, Niraj Chag, Bombay Dub Orchestra, and Aziz. And for those who need big names to get off, some guy named James “Godfather of Soul” Brown will play as will The Who (not all original equipment).

Part of the fun of the proms is being there, but for those who can’t attend, the BBC will broadcast tons of it – live. BBC One and BBC Three will have their cameras in the Roundhouse, and Radio One, Two and Three as well as 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC’s Asian Network and the World Service are all setting aside broadcast time. This means an internet connection brings the e-Proms anywhere in the world.

Mr. Weller said in an e-mail to his fans (one pleads “guilty” of membership), “I’ve not played at the Roundhouse since 1977 so it will be quite nice to go back. I suppose it reminds me of my youth, when I first started playing in London.” Same here, and again next year, and the year after that and . . . .

© Copyright 2006 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.

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