Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited Seconds Out and More - Leicester De Montfort Hall

Calm before the storm

 

The stage is set

It has been some a small matter of 669 days since the last indoor concert. So it is with no lack of eager anticipation that we travelled the short distance up the A508 to Leicester.

This show itself was originally scheduled for November 27th  2020. All because of the Covid pandemic of course. Speaking  of which I wasn't  sure how the new 'checking in' procedure would work out? I suspected that there might be quite a delay getting in to the venue. 

It actually went very smoothly and was well organised. It took literally a couple of minutes to show the Covid Passport on the phone. This was followed by a quick temperature check, I clocked up 36.5 which was perfectly acceptable. Then we were in safely ahead of schedule! Plenty of time to visit the bar and a pint of Guinness.

Centre stage Row 'F' 6 rows back so no problems at all with the seating. It was announced  that his 2021 world tour will feature the whole of the 1977 Genesis live album Seconds Out in full. Seconds Out was the hugely successful double album recorded on Genesis’ 1977 concert tour together with The Cinema Show, from their 1976 tour, and featured Steve Hackett on guitar alongside Mike Rutherford, Tony Banks and Phil Collins who had taken on the role of vocalist following the departure of Peter Gabriel.

Steve Hackett

This tour will visit some of the venues Genesis played on that 1977 tour. There will also be material from the latest solo album 'Surrender of Silence', as well as some other surprises. 

Tonight is the first night of the 31 date tour that finishes in Dundee on 23rd October 2021.

Right on schedule at 7:45 the house lights dim and the musicians gather on stage. This must have been incredibly emotional after such an absence, in front of the best part of 7,000 expectant fans. 

We start off with the 'tick tock' of the  instrumental  'Clocks' (The angel of Mons) from his 1979 album "Spectral Mornings".

Nad Sylvan

The next track is from the new album mentioned earlier ' held in the Shadows' What a beauty it is too,and goes down very well indeed with the packed crowd.

The vocals are provided by the flamboyant,charismatic and supremely talented 'Nad Sylvan'. A successful solo artist and seasoned performer he can really belt it out. I can already sense tonight is going to be a bit special. 

Again from 'Spectral Mornings' we have 'Every Day' followed by another new one 'The Devil's Cathedral'. This one might take a bit more getting used to though. An opening demonic church organ sound in this gothic jazz piece'. I half expected 'Screaming Lord Sutch to take the stage! It settled down though once the vocals started and will be a 'grower' I'm sure.  

Rob Townsend

The final song of this sort first set is 'Shadow of the 'Hierophant'. Taken from 1975 and 'Voyage of the Acolyte'. Rob Townsend is on 'Flute duty', a multi-instrumentalist he also plays Saxophone, percussion,Penny Whistle and all sorts of other woodwind too. . He's been in the band since 2001 and is some performer!

We get a glimpse of the famous 'finger tapping' style of play too. One that the late 'Eddie Van Halen' was so influenced by and took it to shredding level. Talking of influences, the great Alex Lifeson  (RUSH)and Steve Rothery (Marillion) are also massive admirers. Off to the interval we go and it was great to catch up with Lighting maestro and Director 'Chris Curran'. Chris lives in the same village and I know has been desperate to get out doing what he does best. The Pandemic has had a massive adverse effect on the music industry and those involved with it. I'm sure I saw a tear of emotion in his eye behind the protective mask?

Jonas Reingold

The half hour interval over and we are back in place ready for 'Seconds Out' in its entirety. Seconds Out was the second live album released by Genesis in 1977. It was of course the last to feature guitarist Steve Hackett. Genesis then becoming the trio of Tony Banks(Keyboards) Mike Rutherford (Guitar/Bass) and Phil Collins (Drums/Vocals). Founding member and lead singer Peter Gabriel having already left the band in 1975.

We kick off with the opening track 'Squonk' from the album 'Trick of the Tail' (1976). This is followed by 'The Carpet Crawlers'  from  'The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway' the last album with Peter Gabriel. Already the similarity with both singers that Nad Sylvan portrays is quite amazing. A lovely song and we are off to a flyer!

The whole band are superb, unfortunately it is hard to get decent photos of Roger King on Keyboards, and Drummer Craig Blundell.  They are towards the back of the stage, I don't want to upset anyone behind me either.

Jonas Reingold has been involved in over 130 CD recordings! An absolute master of the guitar, moving effortlessly between Bass and 12 string. 

We continue with 'Robbery, Assault and Battery from TOTT.  'Afterglow' is the only song from 'Wind and Wuthering'(1976). The last studio album to feature Hackett.

 

Four of the songs come from the 1973 album 'Selling England by the Pound'. Back to back we have 'Firth of Fifth' and the crowd pleasing favourite 'I Know what I like' (In your Wardrobe). Said to be a favourite album of Hackett's. It is certainly an epic guitar solo and gets rapturous applause. There is a real energy building from the stage. Even a power outage during 'The Musical Box' (Nursery Cryme 1971) can't derail the performance.  The epic 'Suppers Ready' (Foxtrot 1972) follows and no doubt will be the highlight for many, me included. 

I think the next song 'Cinema Show' is a real beauty and slightly underrated. Unlike the first part of the gig there has been no talking to the audience. I suppose the songs don't really need such an introduction as the new ones.

There is no charade of disappearing off stage either, and then coming back for an encore or two. They just get on with it, which I suppose is better in a way. Two more songs follow, but like all good things the show has to end. 'Dance on a Volcano' gives Craig Blundell the chance to show his talents with some power drumming.

What better way to end than with 'Los Endos' from TOTT.

It has been an extraordinary night, a night that will mean so much to so many people. The lighting has been spectacular, the musicianship unbelievable and the whole evening has been something to treasure. 

The benchmark for future concerts has been set very high. Lets hope the next one comes around more quickly and that things can get back to something we are used to whilst keeping everyone safe. 

Thanks to Chris Curran for the set list and the first photo of an empty De-Montfort Hall Leicester. Thanks also to my wife Marina for most of the photographs as they were far better than mine. Although I can take credit for the first Steve Hackett one. I'm actually rather pleased with that one!