THE days when Paul Weller was the spokesman for a generation may be long gone, but the Modfather can still cast a fearsome spell in a live setting.

Admitting a penchant for "Dadrock" is socially unacceptable these days, but Weller was revered at a sold-out Dalby Forest gig - and rightly so.

Despite the rain and surprising cold, he warmed us all up with an iron-clad set of classics.

Former glories they may be, but his commitment, passion and energy makes everyone feel he's playing just for them.

With trademark cigarette in his hand, this was a set which rolled back the years. And not just in performance.

The Weller of 2004 is a man who's finally come to terms with his roller-coaster but rock 'n' roll past.

It's the old favourites which light the crowd up the most. A fantastic cut-down version of The Jam's Tales By The Riverbank gets us all in the mood, before a magnificent rendition of That's Entertainment.

These are not songs just trotted out. They are played with love and care - and there's not a member of the crowd who doesn't know all the words.

Fittingly, given the forest setting, Wild Wood makes a welcome reappearance to the live scene but, for me, it's raucous versions of Sunflower and The Changing Man that win the day.

Weller's in a good mood and, reappearing for a second encore, the forest rings out to the sound of A Town Called Malice. If only trees could hear...

Updated: 11:10 Monday, June 21, 2004