Celeste, Boy George and James Morrison to join Paul Weller live in concert

Celeste, Boy George and James Morrison will join Paul Weller, Steve Cradock, Jules Buckley and the BBC Symphony Orchestra live in concert.

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 will take place at the Barbican on Saturday 15 May and will be available to watch via a live stream on the Barbican website.

The full concert will broadcast on BBC Radio 2 (13 June) with highlights on 6 Music (17 June) before a TV airing on BBC Two (June, date to be confirmed).

Celeste said: “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 added: “’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 shared: “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, said: “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, said: “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, commented: “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, added: “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.”