MODFATHER Paul Weller performs at a sold-out York Barbican tonight ahead of the September 14 release of his 14th solo studio album, True Meanings, on Parlophone Records.

"I’ve always loved playing York; such a great city and the audiences have always been fantastic," said Weller, who turned 60 in May. "I’m looking forward to heading back there in August."

Tomorrow will be the only northern show of a brief run of gigs that takes Weller to Birmingham Genting Arena show on Friday, the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth on Saturday and The Downs Festival in Bristol on September 1.

Weller last appeared at York Barbican on April 7 last year when promoting that May's release of his A Kind Revolution album. This time York fans will be hoping he previews new songs from the 26th studio set of Weller's career with The Jam, The Style Council and now solo.

Recorded in just over three weeks at Weller's Black Barn Studio, True Meanings is said to be a dreamy, peaceful, pastoral set of songs characterised by lush orchestration. It is also his most collaborative record to date, with Weller and his band being joined by myriad guests: Rod Argent, of The Zombies, contributes Hammond organ to The Soul Searchers and piano and Mellotron to White Horses; folk legends Martin Carthy and Danny Thompson add picked guitar and double bass respectively to Come Along and Little Barrie plays lead guitar on Old Castles.

Lucy Rose sings back-up on Books; Movin On’ is the result of a “scratchy demo”on Paul’s phone that was sent to Tom Doyle, of the White Label project; even Noel Gallagher makes a sneaky appearance.

Most surprisingly of all, lyrics for four of the 14 songs were written to Weller’s melodies by others: Connor O’Brien, from Villagers, penned The Soul Searchers, while Erland Cooper, from Erland & The Carnival penned Bowie, Wishing Well and White Horses.

True Meanings will be available in CD, deluxe CD, vinyl and digital formats.