Lazuli - The Musician Leicester

Really looking forward to seeing French Prog Rockers for the third time. It's a short UK tour for November and December, The highlight being their appearance at Planet Rockstock, which celebrates its 10th anniversary at Trecco Bay.
 The band recently released their latest album “11” or “Onze,” I failed French at school so I can't elaborate much more I'm afraid. Tonight is the first night of the tour at 'The Musician' in Leicester. A new venue for me just over the County border. Certainly a new one for Lazuli too. They seem to specialise in the smaller more obscure locations. Tucked away in a quiet back street in the heart of Leicester, The Musician is the Midlands premier independent music venue. With live music at least six nights a week, it holds 220 people.As we arrive a few band members are braving the cold to enjoy a smoke. They are very friendly and we exchange greetings like old friends.

Since opening in 2000, The Musician's reputation has been built on presenting the very best home grown and international performers in a relaxed and friendly environment. With a supremely eclectic booking policy the venue regularly features everything from contemporary singer-songwriters to rock, blues, folk, ska, punk, world, bluegrass, reggae, metal, soul, indie, avant-garde and Americana. They also serve a more than decent pint of Beer too. Burton Bridge Brewery 'Festival Ale' 5.5%  dark Amber in colour the choice tonight.

Dominique Leonetti

Things get off to something of a stuttering start though. Claude Leonetti looks suspiciously at the Léode, which despite his best efforts is not producing any sound. Brother Dominique offers an explanation that it is a South of France Léode,and doesn't like the cold English weather. Some minor tinkering and we are back in business again. As always all the songs are in their native French. As you would expect much of the new album is played tonight. By my reckoning  seven of the eleven album tracks were played. Eleven tracks on an album called Eleven, their eleventh album released. Nicely balanced, I like that. I was a bit surprised that they had actually released that many. The first album was released in 1999 and wasn't particularly well received I understand. The band are in great form though, 'we are a bit rusty' Dominique tells us.We haven't played for a week now! Any cobwebs are soon blown away. 

Arnaud Beyney

Vincent Barnavol

Claude Leonetti

I think I've said it before?  There are times when If I close my eyes I think I'm listening to Geddy Lee of Rush singing. That really is a big compliment. The music as a whole is hard to categorise. The sounds coming from the Léode are wide and diverse. From eastern Asian sounds to haunting Pink Floyd 'Shine on you Crazy Diamond' intro comparisons. It seems to have a sound for every occasion. Something else I've said before is that they deserve to playing bigger venues. Having said that I love the intimacy that goes with the small ones. So maybe I need to be careful what I wish for. 

A happy band of brothers ' lazuli'

I'm not sure that the vibrancy and 'Joie de vivre' of a live performance can be matched by the album. I heard two guys talking and one said to the other 'they don't sound like like they do on my CD. He may well have a point? As the set draws to a close the five band members join up to sing along to 'les mots désuets' (Obsolete Words). A song from the new album. Of course no Lazuli performance would be complete without '9 hands around the Marimba'. Such a beautiful sound that it makes too. After the opening the band divert into The Beatles 'Eleanor Rigby' and the 'Her Comes the Sun'. A great night amongst incredibly talented musicians. The crowd at 'Planet Rockstock' are in for a real treat!

Marillion - Utrecht TivoliVredenburg Night 1 (500th Blog Post)

 It's only fitting that my 500th Blog post should be seeing Marillion live abroad for the first time. I've seen lots of bands across Europe before but never Marillion.

After a sightseeing wander around the beautiful city of Utrecht, it's time to hit the TivoliVrendenburg for Marillion. We did wander past late morning and I was a bit surprised not to see any hardy souls queuing outside. It was now mid afternoon still nobody outside? It soon became apparent that the queue was actually inside the building. 

A rare luxury indeed to be queuing inside in the warm. Too many times spent in the cold and rain for comfort. I spot the familiar sight 'James Greenwood'. No stranger to a front row and a 'set list. There is both seating and standing tonight on a 'first come first served' basis. It's amazing how much quicker the time waiting goes when you are not shivering and wet. The three hours wait passed in no time with the assistance of 'Green Tea' from the restaurant. Once the doors were opened at 7PM there was a bit of a scrum to get in. Some of those who had waited the longest didn't quite get through first. It all seemed to sort itself out though once inside the 7,500 capacity venue. Ordinarily we would have bolted for the stage. However Mrs A was struggling with a leg injury so we settled for seats. That was a tough decision too! A bit like the child in the sweet shop scenario. We opted for centre stage , slightly raised to avoid those standing in front. You can just about see us on the photo of the auditorium as it starts to fill up.

However, before the much anticipated Marillion we have a support act to enjoy. 'I am the Morning' a Russian duo who formed n 2010. The are described as Progressive rock/ Chamber Pop. Singer 'Marjana Semkina' was very quick to denounce any affiliation to her country and Mr Putin. They are pleasant enough to listen to. 'Marjana' definitely has a 'Kate Bush' vibe going on as she drifts across the stage. Many of the songs seem to be about death and dying though. Perhaps they should be called 'I am the Mourning' ? I also thought that keyboardist  'Gleb Kolyadin' bore more than a passing resemblance to myself? Well certainly in my younger days at least..

Night1 of 2 in Utrecht and we are greeted with an austere looking 'Steve Hogarth' on the big screen. Hair slicked back, glasses and jacket and tie as the opening lines of the 'Invisible Man' .He takes to the stage, dressed exactly the same. It's a great opening, one of my favourites too.    

Another fans favourite 'Easter' follows next. The arena has filled up remarkably. There isn't a seat to be had anywhere.Fans are stacked up in the stairwells too , gaining any viewpoint they can. The spare seat next to me has been occupied too. A chap called Timo from The Hague. Unfortunately his wife can't make it so is here on his own. At least he can get a really good seat for one. Even better after we get chatting earlier he buys me a beer!  

The band then dip back into the last album 'An Hour before It's Dark' and 'Reprogram the Gene'. We made this album about 5 years ago' says Hogarth,that's right isn't it Steve?  He asks guitarist Steve Rothery. About a year and a half ago actually he points out. Whenever it was it sounds great  and we are up and away and the place is rocking. Percussionist Luis Jardim has had a few problems but otherwise the sound quality is amazing. 'Lucky Man' from 'Sounds that can't be made' is next.A rarely played song live. Hogarth tells us it's because it's so effing complicated and difficult. Although we make it look easy. Unlike most bands who make  easy songs look really difficult. A good point well made I think.  

Mark  Kelly (Keys) Pete Trewavas (Bass)

The shirt and tie are now discarded,and we see various different guises as the evening progresses. He seems to be the master of the quick change too. 'Beyond You' from 'Afraid of Sunlight' and the title track from Sounds that can't be made' follow. The lighting is absolutely fantastic and adds even more to the performance . I was lucky to meet up with 'Lights Maestro' 'Yenz' beforehand and pass on some good wishes from a fellow lighting Engineer he knows, who lives in the same village as me.  

The  Bluesy Bass line of Quartz brings Pete Trewavas into the spotlight. Taken from the 2001 album 'Anoraknopbobia' the bands 12th studio album at the time. The album that saw the band go a bit Hip Hoppy and Funky before returning to a more Prog style.

The set is brought to a powerful climax with two more songs from 'An Hour before It's Dark'. Firstly the Leonard Cohen inspired 'The Crow and the Nightingale'.  Followed by a wonderfully emotion charged 'Care' that means so much to so many. The band leave the stage to a unanimous standing ovation.

Mr Steve Rothery

The band return to the pulsating beat of 'Splintering Heart' the opening track from Holidays in Eden. The second album with Hogarth at the helm. A song I've always had a soft spot for along with 'Real Tears for Sale'. A song that would probably with some difficulty say is my favourite is next. There is something about 'Neverland' that gets me every time. Everything about it resonates with me ,and seeing it live again is just fantastic. Hogarth becomes even more animated, if that is even possible? At times manic, always enthralling, a Showman for sure. Maybe even a Shaman?

Steve 'H' Hogarth

By comparison 'Steve Rothery' is calmness personified. Unruffled, going about his business with subtle sublimitity. The Yang to Hogarth's Ying. Or more a case of a Jekyll and Hyde comparison. The end result is all that matters, a concept in holism. The band is even greater than the sum of its parts. We even have time for quick rendition of 'Happy Birthday'. The 'Birthday Boy' being Mark Patrick, another veteran of Marillion gigs far and wide. The band leave the stage once more and nobody is still seated. 

By popular demand the bad return for one last hurrah.This is a song about 'Rollercoasters,' the ups and downs of success and fame, and the pressures that go with it. Another favourite of mine 'King' from 'The Afraid of Sunlight' album. And its just wonderful. A perfectly fitting finale for what has been an amazing evening. There is definitely a very different vibe to seeing bands abroad. I can't wait for the next time!

Thanks to Michael Voltz for the 'Auditorium filling up' photo. Also to Martin Potappel for the 'lights across the Auditorium photo.

Full Set List

• The Invisible Man
• Easter
• Reprogram the Gene (I) Invincible
• Reprogram the Gene (II) Trouble-Free Life 
• Reprogram the Gene (III) A Cure for Us?
• Lucky Man
• Beyond You
• Sounds that can't be Made
• Quartz
• The Crow and the Nightingale
• Care (I) Maintenance Drugs
• Care (II) An Hour before It's Dark
• Care (III) Angels on Earth

Encore

• Splintering Heart
• Neverland 

Encore 2 

• King

 

Utrecht Visit

A much anticipated midweek trip to the Netherlands, taking in Utrecht and Amsterdam. The main reason of course to see Marillion but plenty of time to have a look around the medieval city of Utrecht.   
We are staying at the Bunk Hotel, a Church in a previous life but a hotel since 2015. Lots of the old brickwork and features creates a unique ambience. The room was a bit on the tight side, but fine for one night. We are literally just over the road from the gig venue, the TivoliVredenburg, which is very handy. Our bags dropped off we venture into town to have a wander and see what the 4th largest city in the Netherlands has to offer?

The first thing is to avoid being hit by a bike. They come at you from all directions and seem to take priority. Very much like Amsterdam there are bikes and cyclists everywhere. It does very much have an Amsterdam feel to it with the tree lined canals.   

The town of Utrecht is very impressive I have to say. Some really interesting shops and plenty of them too. A great area for wandering, lots of side streets to explore. Wherever you go though you can hardly miss the iconic 'Domtoren', a 14th-century bell tower. Located opposite the he Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin or Dom Cathedral on central Domplein square.

The Dom Tower is the tallest Church tower in the Netherlands at 112.32 metres (368,5 feet) in height. Not surprisingly it is considered the symbol of Utrecht. Since the unfinished nave collapsed in 1674, the Dom tower has been a freestanding tower. At the moment the Tower is covered in scaffolding as restoration work is taking place. Work started in 2019 after two years of planning. It should all be finished by the Summer of 2024. That should keep it going for the next fifty years! Debris that was freed during construction was used to make Dom Tower souvenirs and artwork.

Dom Tower

The Cathedral is built on the former site of a Roman Castle. Building work lasted nearly three centuries from 1254- 1520.It has survived a lot of storms and disasters over the years. Including a whirlwind in 1674which collapsed the nave of the church. 

One of the most striking features is the huge stained glass Gospel window. It depicts the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John under the cross.

The Gospel Window

It's official. I really like Utrecht! Definitely more laid back than Amsterdam, which isn't really that surprising. It has a lovely feel to it and something for everyone. There is a real mix of the new and the old coming together. A nice Pizza lunch and a Beer has set me up nicely for the Marillion concert later tonight. Better go and get in the queue if we want a good pitch near the stage.  

Heart of England Way (6) Mickleton to Long Marston

 

Amazingly this would be our first 'Heart of England' walk of the year. December 2022 was the last time we ventured out this way. Starting point today is the finishing point from last time 'Mickleton'. I might have mentioned last time that the village of Mickleton is the northernmost settlement in Gloucestershire. We are now in the Northerly part of the Cotswolds. 

Bright skies and sunshine make for a perfect Autumn day.Hardly need a coat today and I'm looking forward to some cracking Autumn colour. We set off n the direction of the imposing 'Meon Hill'. Meon Hill is said to have inspired Tolkien's 'Weathertop' from 'Lord of the Rings'. According to legend, Meon Hill was formed by the Devil. He intended to throw a clod of earth at Evesham Abbey and missed, thus forming the hill we see today. It is also the scene of the so called 'witchcraft' murder of 'Charles Walton' in 1945. The case is currently the oldest unsolved murder in the Warwickshire Constabulary records. 

 

Meon Hill

The chief suspect for the murder was the manager of The Firs, Alfred John Potter, for whom Walton was working on the day he died. However, there was insufficient evidence to convict Potter. Local folklore held that phantom black dogs roamed the area and were a harbinger of death. It was claimed that, soon after Walton's murder, a black dog was found hanging from a tree close to the murder scene. I shall keep my eyes peeled for any such strange goings on today. Of more concern at the moment though is the amount of standing water on the ground . It is a real quagmire and walking is quite difficult and hard work.  

As we approach Lower Clopton Farm there is a lot of activity. Through my binoculars I can see that there are Turkeys in the field. There is also a field still full of Pumpkins that have survived the Halloween frenzy. I fear the Turkeys will not be quite so fortunate. You can also pick your own strawberries, raspberries and cherries during the Summer months. 

 

Very Friendly Turkeys

We pass through the very pretty village of Upper Quinton. We quickly move into Lower Quinton as the Hear of England Way joins the Monarch's Way. We are in very open countryside now and the sun continues to shine down on us. We cross the busy Stratford Road where a poor Old Roe Deer is dead on the path. Looks like a few birds and other creatures have had a bit of a meal off of it too. Such a shame as a beautiful creature. Lots of assorted Funghi in the fields to , some good eating mushrooms to be found as well. 

Our next port of call is Long Marston, we are about 5 miles southwest of Stratford Upon Avon. Long Marston is known as one of the 'Shakespeare villages'. He is said to have joined a drinking group and whose sole intention was to out drink a similar group at Bidford on Avon. It was also the home of Long Marston Airfield built in 1940 and decommissioned in 1958. It is now the home of the infamous 'Bulldog Bash' motorcycle festival. 

We walk along the edge of the cycle track , once part of the railway line. I always like to see the Autumn carpet of leaves. As we get out into the countryside it gets very boggy underfoot once again. The light is absolutely fantastic though, especially as it shines down on the golden Oak trees. Eventually out luck runs out ... The recent heavy rains have created a marsh area that is impassable without soaking our feet. It takes a bit of thinking about. We find an old abandoned iron gate that we reconvene into a makeshift bridge. With a bit of care and attention we navigate the watery depths and achieve safe passage.

No sooner are we over the makeshift bridge than there is a very nice footbridge. Looks fairly new too, pity it wasn't a bit earlier. My nerves were tested even more as went progressed. Not one but two fields of horses. The second lot were particularly inquisitive. They did get spooked at one stage and got a bit frisky. I couldn't run anyway as I was bogged down in the mud. Moving away from the horses the next field was full of Sheep. As well as the Sheep there was a very protective Ram. Who took it upon himself to see us off 'his manor' so to speak. 

It has been a really good walk, helped by the weather. A bit different in that there were no buildings or points of interest as such.The light is just starting to fade as we cross another stile and head back towards our starting point at Mickleton. Throughout the walk 'Meon Hill has loomed ominously as a backdrop. We cross  one more stile across the railway line and then we are almost back. The total distance walked today was 10.43 miles