Paul Weller has confirmed five forest gigs, appearing as part of the Forestry Commission’s Forest Live concert programme in spectacular woodland locations across the country.

It's been thirty years since Paul Weller first exploded onto the music scene, suited and booted, and armed with statement tunes in The Jam. Blending the best of British with his love of Motown, Weller crafted a new landscape in the UK music scene thanks to an impressive portfolio of work including amongst others, Stanley Road, Illumination, 22 Dreams and 2013’s Sonik Kicks all hitting Number One. A significant figure in popular music for the past three generations, he remains a cultural icon.

Forest Live is an independent programme organised by the Forestry Commission bringing music to new audiences without commercial branding or sponsorship. Income from the concerts is spent on improving the woodland for both people and wildlife.

Following on from two sold out Forest Live dates last summer, Paul said of the 2014 shows, “It’s a favourite summer jaunt for me so I look forward to performing in a few of the forests that I haven’t played in a good while”.

Paul Weller plus special guests will be performing:

Saturday 14 June:  Sherwood Pines Forest, Edwinstowe, Nr Mansfield, Notts.

Saturday 21 June: Bedgebury Pinetum & Forest, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Friday 27 June:  Dalby Forest, Nr Pickering, N Yorks.

Saturday 28 June: Cannock Chase Forest, Nr Rugeley, Staffs.

Friday 4 July: Delamere Forest, Nr Northwich, Cheshire.

Tickets £46.20 (including booking fee) go on sale at 9.00am Friday 17 January from the Forestry Commission box office tel 03000 680400 or buy online at www.forestry.gov.uk/music.

Info

www.paulweller.com

www.forestry.gov.uk/music

End

Release: Monday 13 January 2014

Media enquiries: James Delanoy james@delanoy.co.uk / tel 01223 812533

Note to Editors:

Over one million music fans have previously attended Forest Live concerts.

Forest Live takes place each summer in seven forest locations around the country. Woodland clearings are temporarily transformed into a concert arena creating a safe and relaxed atmosphere for gig-goers.

18% of the country's woods and forests are managed by the Forestry Commission. In England, more than 50% of the population live within 10km of a Forestry Commission managed wood or forest.