Marillion With Friends from the Orchestra - Bath Forum and Oxford New Theatre

Back to back Marillion shows, Bath and Oxford life can hardly get any better surely. After the disappointment  of the rugby ( see previous post) we made our way across town to The Forum in Bath , a new venue for me. We were late booking as originally the plan was just to go to Oxford, however it then turned into a long weekend with the Saints fixture.

Originally an Art Deco Cinema The Forum was built in 1934 and is a designated Grade II Listed building.

The Forum Bath , View from our seat

The building closed as a cinema in 1969, and has subsequently been used as a dancing school, a Bingo Hall and a Church. Its main auditorium has 1,600 seats.

Because of the late booking we found ourselves 'Up in the Gods'. I've been in steeper theaters but not many and the  stage was a good distance away. From what I can see it looks pretty full anyway.
Before Marillion we have local boy 'Harry Pane'. By local I mean from Northamptonshire , Brackley in fact. A singer songwriter and guitarist he takes  the stage along with the large frame of 'Double Bass' player Nathan Weenie.

He delivers a very nice little set indeed. As well as a song about  his favourite place in New Zealand there is even a song dedicated to his home county! 'It's a big step up from the Dog and Duck' where he was playing last week, he says.

Judging on the two performances I've seen I would say that he has a very bright future indeed. Certainly a lot better than other similar types of male guitar playing singers that I won't mention.

There is a lot of movement in and around where we are sitting which is tedious to say the least .Particularly as I'm on the end of the row.

Before Marillion take the stage we have an announcement from their Management Team regarding the use of mobile phones for recording. Essentially any recording is forbidden , mainly on the grounds of obscuring other fans who have paid good money for the concert. I would only wish to take a few discreet snapshots for the blog but even that was going to prove difficult. Some in the row in front got his phone out for a photo and was quickly shouted down. I really didn't want the hassle so would leave until much later if possible when things were calmer.

View from our seat Oxford

The New Theatre at Oxford is much better seating wise. We are towards the back of the Orchestra stalls , but much nearer the stage. As such the atmosphere already feels better and there seems to be a buzz of anticipation that was lacking at Bath. Actually the mixing desk is only two rows behind us.

As a result of the 'photo restriction' there won't be too many of mine on this particular post which is a shame.

Balcony View New Theatre Oxford

Marillion are once again with the added strings, French Horn and Flute of the six piece chamber Orchestra.

Just as they were when I saw them at The Royal Albert Hall.The orchestra really does complement the specifically chosen songs.

The set kicks off  with the epic 'Gaza' from 'Sounds that Can't be Made' .Not one of my favourites if I'm totally honest.  I think it labours a little in the middle and is just a little too long.
But that is what makes Marillion special. There is such a huge catalogue of material to choose from and many many great songs have to be omitted. Fans debate long and hard songs that should be included in the set lists. The final choice of songs doesn't always please everyone.

No such problem with the next song 'Afraid of Sunlight. A song that would always get into my top 5 songs of 'Hogarth' era songs. Another favourite followed in the form of 'Seasons End'.
At Bath it seemed like I was spending more time out of my seat than in it ! People were constantly on the move. At least they were apologetic! You can't say too much really I suppose? No such issues at Oxford though I'm glad to say.

The only problem at Oxford was with Steve Rothery's most expensive guitar which didn't want to play ball.... (Pictured left, or above depending on your viewing mode). Cut to Hogarth for a couple of minutes expert filling.
'That's the trouble withe expensive guitars ' he says 'They're like expensive women , sometimes they just don't work'.
Another epic track 'Estonia' is to follow. The story of the cruise ferry that sank in the Baltic in 1994. Taking with it 852 lives.


After the first four songs the set lists began to differ .At Bath we had a large segment from the FEAR
album of 'The New Kings'. Hogarth is on the attack against the Banks, political greed and corruption by those Russian Oligarchs populating the capital . As with 'Gaza'  if they can’t say or do it now, there’s no point doing it says the man without fear.
At Oxford we had 'Power' and the extremely catchy ' Man of a Thousand Faces' in place of 'The New Kings'.

It's a noisier crowd at Oxford for sure and 'H'  seems even more engaging if that is possible. A set that encompasses his 30 years at the helm. Fitting that he thought the auditorium looked like a galleon then. Keeping the nautical theme going he's something between a swashbuckling 'Capt Jack Sparrow' and the King of  stagecraft the late 'Ken Dodd'.

Its a great balance between the electrics of the band and the orchestration.

    

Steve 'H' Hogarth

Both sets end with the epic 'The Great    Escape' from the 'Brave' album. There is still plenty left in the tank with a couple of heavyweight encores to come. 'Fantastic Place' is followed by the extremely rocking 'Separated Out' and by now everybody is out of their seat for 'legitimate' reasons.
I wasn't however prepared for the orchestra to veer of into a version of 'Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir'.

The night finishes with the band leaving the stage again to return and close with another epic song 'This Strange Engine'.A song that includes one of the most beautiful Steve Rothery guitar solos.

Both nights have been superb and the ever loyal band of followers have lapped up every minute. The band seem to go from strength to strength  constantly rising to meet new challenges. They have two nights at the The Royal Albert Hall coming up shortly.A venue that is fitting and right for such a tour to be brought to a close.


I also wish to thank Alan Jones Concert Photography (alanjonesphotos.com) for very kindly allowing me to use some of his photos in this review. I think it is clear to see which ones were taken by Alan.

Bath Set List

• Gaza
• Afraid of Sunlight
• Seasons End
• Estonia
• Hollow Man
• 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?
• The Sky Above the Rain
• The Great Escape

Encore 1

• Fantastic Place
• Separated Out 
• (Excerpt of Kashmir)

Encore 2

• This Strange Engine 

Oxford Set List 

• Gaza
• Afraid of Sunlight
• Seasons End
• Estonia
• Power
• Hollow Man
• Man of a Thousand Faces
• The Sky Above the Rain
• The Great Escape

Encore 1

• Fantastic Place
• Separated Out 
• (Excerpt of Kashmir)

Encore 2

• This Strange Engine