These three extraordinary artists will bring their individual style and musicality to Weller tracks arranged specially for them in brand new orchestral settings by the BBC SO’s Creative Artist in Association, Jules Buckley.

The concert marks Weller’s return to live performance for the first time in over two years. Spanning the broad spectrum of his career, from The Jam to as yet unheard new material, the programme includes classic songs You Do Something to Me, English Rose and Wild Wood, along with tracks from Weller’s latest number one album, On Sunset.

This one-off performance is the latest collaboration in a series of innovative concerts from the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Jules Buckley, and is part of the acclaimed Live From The Barbican series and will be available to watch via a live stream on the Barbican website.

Following the live show at the Barbican, the concert will be broadcast across BBC TV, radio and online. The complete show will be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 (13 June) whilst 6 Music takes highlights for Gideon Coe’s show (17 June) and Edith Bowman presents the concert for TV audiences on BBC Two later in June. The concert will also be made available on demand on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer.

Celeste says: “I have found Paul Weller to be such inspiration from afar, and also in the little moments I have spent with him. Wild Wood was a song sung at my first ever gig when I was 16, so to be able to sing it with him now 10 years later feels like a career full-circle moment and I’m truly honoured he’s up for doing it!”

Boy George says: “'I'm a big fan of Paul and for me he just gets better and better. I can't wait to sing this song. Nervous too!”

James Morrison says: “I finally got to meet and work with Paul last year. He’s been a hero for my entire musical life. There’s soul in everything he does and he’s an absolute legend. Musical credibility starts and ends with Paul Weller, so to be invited to perform with him is a genuine honour. And I get to sing one of my favourite of his songs, so I cannot wait.”

Rachel Davies, Commissioning Exec, BBC Music, says: “Paul Weller is an artist who has been entertaining us for over 40 years, and we’re thrilled that both he and Jules Buckley have designed a unique show for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer viewers. With the added bonus of performances from Celeste, Boy George and James Morrison, it will be a truly memorable event.”

Jeff Smith, Head of Music, Radio 2 and 6 Music, says: “Paul Weller is a much loved British musical icon and to see him perform tracks, both familiar and some being performed publicly for the first time, will be very special for our audiences on Radio 2, 6 Music and BBC Sounds.”

Paul Hughes, Director, BBC Symphony Orchestra, says: “This latest collaboration with Paul Weller, and a stellar line-up of guest artists, is another hugely exciting concert curated by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and our Creative Artist in Association, Jules Buckley. We can’t wait to make music together in this strangest and most challenging of times.”

Huw Humphreys, Head of Music, Barbican, says: “We are delighted to welcome iconic British artist Paul Weller and guests Celeste, Boy George and James Morrison alongside Jules Buckley and our Associate Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra, to the summer edition of our new concert series, Live From The Barbican.

"The series enabled us to continue our commitment to support artists and partner organisations during a difficult year and at a time when concert halls needed to temporarily close their doors. Until we can welcome back our audiences into the hall very shortly, we are hoping that many Paul Weller fans across the globe will be able to join us at the Barbican via livestream this May.”

Broadcast schedule

Barbican live stream
Saturday 15 May
20:00

BBC Radio 2
Sunday 13June
19:00
Paul Weller Live At The Barbican

6 Music
Thursday 17 June
13:00
Interview with Shaun Keaveny

6 Music
Thursday 17 June
21:00
Highlights in Gideon Coe

BBC Two
Saturday 19 June
TBC

Co-produced by Barbican and BBC SO.

For more information and to book for the Barbican live stream, please visit www.barbican.org.uk

Livestream tickets will be available to watch back until Mon 17 May at 8pm. You can buy a ticket up until this point.