Richard Simpson looks forward to Paul Weller’s appearance in Dalby Forest.

JUST over a year ago I interviewed Paul Weller in a little dressing room in Middlesbrough Town Hall. He was rapidly approaching his 50th birthday, he had a new album to promote, a new band in tow and maybe still had a point to prove.

Next Saturday, he is back in the region, at Dalby Forest, near Pickering, one of a series of sold-out gigs for the Forestry Commission. So what has he been up to, and what can we expect?

Let’s just take a step back, after the release of As Is Now in 2005, and the usual tours and promotional work, he split from long-term members Steve White and Damon Minchella and set about forming a new band. Youth was brought in, Andy Croft, Steve Pilgrim and Andy Lewis, all talented musicians, Steve Craddock remained and they formed what would be a new band and a new sound.

22 Dreams was the result of this collaboration, a sprawling double album of 21 tracks. Weller said at the time: “I wanted to give people a big body of work and something that they can really get their teeth into.

There are a lot of musical styles happening in this album that I haven’t done before. I like the idea of reinventing myself completely.”

Not only was 22 Dreams a commercial success, reaching Number 1, it was also a critics’ favourite, with Weller winning best male solo artist at the Brit Awards and Mojo awarding it Album of the Year.

No one can accuse Weller of slowing down in his 50th year, touring extensively in Australia, North America and mainland Europe before finishing the year with a sell-out arena tour in the UK.

He still continues to excite people of a certain age, but one event that puts things into perspective is the death of his father in April. When I talked to him last year he just said his father was unwell.

John Weller was not only Paul’s father. He was his tour manager, drinking partner and best mate.

They had been through so much together. Anyone who had the privilege to see The Jam live cannot forget the memory of his dad introducing the band, shouting loudly in a gruff cockney voice: “Put your hands together for the best band in the world, The Jam.” And then start jumping up and down.

So what drives the man on? He says: “I’m still so much in love with what I do – playing music and not just being a musician, but being a fan and just the whole trip really. It’s in my blood and it’s my whole life and I think that kinda counts for an awful lot as well.

“I never get bored. If I get bored of my own music, I just go and listen to other people’s music for a little bit, do you know what I mean?

It’s remained a source of wonderment to me.”

■ Dalby Forest Concerts.

McFly, Friday, June 26.

Tickets: £26.50. Box Office: 01842-814612 Saturday, June 27, Paul Weller plus special guests Twisted Wheel, all £33 tickets sold out, check box office for returns