Marillion - Royal Albert Hall

This could potentially be my longest concert review since starting this blog. It was just one of those most special of occasions where Marillion making their Royal Albert Hall debut gave us everything. However the night didn't get off to the best of starts....

Our view

Staying at a hotel in Lancaster Gate it was a short hop across Hyde Park to get to the venue , twenty minutes they said. Perhaps following the line of the Serpentine was not such a good idea? Nearly an hour after we set off we emerged opposite Hyde Park Corner tube station. Another detour was needed as we made our way past Harrods in Knightsbridge to get back on course. Thankfully time was on our side and we took our seats with half an hour to spare.



The 5,000 tickets had sold out in less than four minutes with several times as many fans left disappointed. The atmosphere was electric and there was the sense that we were about to witness something epic. I had already spotted a couple of musical celebrities on the row in front of ours. Producer and Prog Rock musician Steven Wilson along with his band member and ex Kajagoogo bassist Nick Beggs. Marillion have an amazing and loyal following from across the world and is continually growing.  This was not a young audience and I was reminded of something Ian Anderson (Jethro  Tull) once said to his audience 'It's wonderful to see so many young faces out there ,some of you hardly look a day over 50'. The majority of whom have been there since the first album was released in 1984.

Steve Hogarth

The light show never dipped all night and along with the massive screen backdrop it made for a cinematic feel even in an auditorium this size. Frontman Steve Hogarth announced that the first set would compromise entirely of the latest album 'FEAR'. Something of a work of art ,hailed as the best album in 20 years from the band. Where each of the five tracks seems to melt into the next one it does take some listening to for the uninitiated. A dark message about political corruption and greed the changing fortunes of the country. It starts with in the quiet and peace  of an English country garden. It slowly builds into an emotional and explosive realisation that 'The New Kings' hold the power and why is 'Nothing ever true'.

Set 2 kicked off with with 'The Space' from 1889's 'Seasons End' the first album with Steve Hogarth on vocals after the departure of 'Fish'. It was followed by another of my favourites 'Afraid of Sunlight' from the album of the same name (1995).
I should also mention at this stage that for the second part they were joined by a string quartet, plus a flute and French horn. 'H' did promise us something special for part 2 and we were not to be disappointed.
I don't think the song 'Easter' has ever sounded better than it did under the fantastic acoustics of the RAH and guitarist Steve Rothery was playing out of his skin (as always).

Steve Rothery

A much anticipated moment was to be during the song 'Go'. when the entire audience who equipped with finger lights were to 'switch on' and light the place up. The effect, along with the lasers was absolutely stunning and unfortunately the photos do not in anyway do justice to the spectacle. It is well worth a 'Google' if you get a minute or two.

  'Man of a Thousand of a Thousand Faces' brought the second half to a rapturous ending. But of course  this was never really going to be the end as in time honoured fashion the band returned for a n encore. The highlight for me and many of the audience I would guess was 'Neverland'. Even Mr Hogarth ' said' we've got a good one  for you now'.

 The performance culminated with the final track of the evening ‘The Leavers V: One Tonight’ and just seemed like the perfect piece of music to bring this magical evening to a close.
The band were then showered and that isn't doing it justice really by the confetti cannons. With all the excitement I hadn't even realised that today was Friday 13th. A day associated with bad luck and misfortune. Well it really would have been terrible bad luck to have missed Marillion tonight at the peak of their powers.

There are still those out there who think that without Fish there is no Marillion ... Fish is a great performer in his own right but please can we all move on . Similarly those who say did they do Kayleigh ? That was a different era do yourself a huge favour and catch up with the catalogue of work since Steve Hogarth joined the band. Also for that matter the fantastic solo work by Fish. Thank you I feel much better now i've said that in the most polite way possible.
   

Marillion really the complete band in everything they do , and don't forget they have done it the hard way. No private jets for these lads , the last few albums have all been 'pledge funded' , something they pioneered.
It was a fantastic night at the RAH in every respect and I can't wait to see it all again as it was being recorded for future DVD release.
The night did indeed have a happy ending as we managed to navigate ourselves back to the hotel via the road that goes through Hyde Park via Alexandra Gate. Thankfully the park was all locked up so impossible to get lost....This time it did indeed take us 20 mins, just in time for last orders  at a local pub.

Set List 
El Dorado: I. Long-Shadowed Sun
El Dorado: II. The Gold
El Dorado: III. Demolished Lives
El Dorado: IV. F E A R
El Dorado: V. The Grandchildren of Apes
Living in F E A R
The Leavers: I. Wake Up in Music
The Leavers: II. The Remainers
The Leavers: III. Vapour Trails in the Sky
The Leavers: IV. The Jumble of Days
The Leavers: V. One Tonight
White Paper
The New Kings: I. Fuck Everyone and Run
The New Kings: II. Russia’s Locked Doors
The New Kings: III. A Scary Sky
The New Kings: IV. Why Is Nothing Ever True?

Interval 

The Space…
Afraid of Sunlight
The Great Escape
Easter
Go!
Man of a Thousand Faces

Encores

Waiting to Happen
Neverland
The Leavers: V. One Tonight