You can’t help wonder why Paul Weller, with a huge catalogue of songs from The Jam, The Style Council and his solo recordings, has not toured Australia in 23 years? Looking around the sold-out Enmore Theatre on Tuesday evening, it was hard to imagine why he would pass up on such a lucrative market for his music. Ticket sales around Australia have been strong and he is performing three consecutive shows in the Enmore. Who knew there were so many Paul Weller fans? As a matter of fact, I asked my mate with me if he knew anyone who was a Big Weller fan, and he could think of one person. I had trouble coming up with that many. But I guess we don’t travel in the same circles…

Although we were jammed in like olives in a jar, the crowd was ready to lift the roof off the place and they were engaged from the moment the band wandered on. Paul Weller was joined by Steve Craddock ( Ocean Colour Scene ) on guitar and vocals, and they made a joyous racket throughout the night. Andy Lewis was on bass, Steve Pilgrim (from the under-rated The Stands ) on the drums and Andy Crofts filled the sound out on keyboards.

22 Dreams, the latest release, made up a good third of the evening’s set-list. Steve and Paul cranked out a fabulous version of From The Floorboards Up and Sea Spray was one of the highlights from 22 Dreams. Songs from Wild Wood, Stanley Road and Heliocentric also made an appearance through the evening.

With a fantastic light set-up, the 17 million guitars I think were used during the night and an adoring audience, people got what they wanted. But someone tell me – was it just me, or were there an inordinate number of blonde females in the crowd? Does Paul Weller attract blondes?

But of course the throngs had come to hear some of the Weller classics – and even though he won’t get back together with his former bandmates, he still has to play the damned songs. So we were given Carnation, That’s Entertainment, and Eton Rifles from The Jam years and only one Style Council song, which everyone shouted at the top of their lungs. I think you can figure that one out.

It was a fairly well polished pop/rock concert, with some good playing and excellent singing from Paul Weller and his band. Seeing a Sydney crowd jump and dance and writhe a bit to the music is always a pleasant change from people just watching people perform. People were yelling along with the lyrics with the house lights up, and you could tell that Paul Weller understood he had made an error in judgment by not coming to our shores for 23 years. With five children up his sleeve, I am sure the payday of touring here will see him back in the next couple of years. He might even think of doing that ugly ‘r’ word, ‘reunion’ – but don’t hold your breath.

So until then, I hope y’all enjoyed The Jam closer of A Town Called Malice to keep you thinking that maybe, just maybe…