Paul Weller, Johnny Marr "Town Called Malice", Coachella

The title says it all. Simply put, this is one of the very greatest concert experiences of my entire life. In addition to having to work my magazine's party, the biggest reason -- musically speaking -- that I went to Coachella was to see The Smiths reunite for just one night. 'Didn't happen, and I was working so hard at our party that I didn't really get away much until Sunday, when I made a mad dash to see Paul Weller, who also ranks very high on my list of must-see shows. When he brought my all-time biggest musical hero onstage, I completely lost it. 'Hard to hold a camera when you're sobbing tears of joy...moments like these are why I've chosen the unpredictable life of a music journo. As always, if you weren't there, this is for YOU.


When From The Jam were touring sans Paul Weller, I posted an open letter to Paul Weller (http://www.urb.com/permalink/2032/A-(Brief)-Open-Letter-To-Paul-Weller.html) offering to pay for his airfare and hotel if he'd re-form The Jam for one night in NYC...didn't happen. And when Morrissey played the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkAhYiAn1bA&feature=channel_page) I asked if it would be so bad for him and Johnny to go round the world just once more. Understandably again nothing happened, and I in fact, couldn't have paid for anybody's first class airfare and lodging -- I could do more like a $20 metro card and a spot on my couch, heh heh.

So I went to Coachella this year spending money I shouldn't have on airfare, because I really believed that Johnny Marr would join Morrisssey on stage -- I mean I really believed this was possible - and again, it didn't happen.

But after working all weekend at my mag's parties, I made it just in time for Weller's set and when he threw his guitar pick, I filmed it and then put it in my pocket thinking how cool it was that I'd gotten Paul Weller's pick, because sometimes it's just about the little things. And when he launched into "Wildwood" which for me is a very personal anthem, I felt like my trip to Cali had been worth it.

As I left the pit from Weller's show, I wasn't quite ready to leave even though I had to get ready to shoot My Bloody Valentine, so I stopped to interview two fans in the audience, and this proved to be the most fateful choice of my entire trip, because about ten minutes into the interview Mr. Weller announced that Johnny Marr would be joining him on A Town Called Malice and I just completely lost it as you can hear.

I don't know what the odds are that after working at my mag's party for three days straight, the first show that I was able to really make it to and film would deliver the very four minutes I had been seeking for a few years now, but screw the odds. If I had worried about odds, I wouldn't even be here -- in fact, if any of these cats onstage had been worried about odds they probably wouldn't even be here either. So here's to screwing the odds...as this song says, "stop apologizing for the things you've never done 'cos time is short and life is cruel, but it's up to us to change..."

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Paul
• Weller
• Johnny
• Marr
• Michael
• Vazquez
• vazqueznyc
• Town
• Called
• Malice
• Coachella

[karziflora]

"What Johnny Fucking Marr"...Hell Yeah!!!

Two legends on one stage...how SWEET!!!

[alexandre1129]

what!? Johnny fucking Marr?

Yes it's Johnny fucking Marr the legend!

[CazUnlimited]

@alexandre1129 Oh yeah, and Weller is just shit

[seanlikestoskate1]

So fucking sweet! Sends a shiver down my spine haha! Two of my top favourite guys haha

[Sharknumberone1]

@TSbcfc1 Actaully, she's from Norn Iron! There IS a difference....

[Sharknumberone1]

@TSbcfc1

Actually, she's from Norn Iron....

[choccy999]

Deadly Brud,Thanks For Sharing ! Fantastico : )

[totstephens]

loved the jam and the smiths, wellers done nothing much since apart from walls coming tumbling down and shout to the top, weller surround your self with dreams oF pretty young girls or anything you want but please dont forget me or any of my kind, cheers Mr CLEAN

[TSbcfc1]

BEST REACTION EVER - even though you're a yank, nice one pal.

[ellycat]

@joon1014 No idea but Johnny Marr could have played it blindfolded. Top tune by The Jam, though.

[budgesoul]

but a genius..

[budgesoul]

he`s a washed up old mod............