Liverpool Philharmonic – 11/11/19
Arriving at a packed Liverpool Philharmonic, the impressive stage was set for guitarist Steve Hackett and his band. Chatting to a few people before the show, I was told by a number of people, one who is quite the authority on Steve Hackett as he has seen him over 150 times, that this show was the best EVER Steve Hackett show that they had seen. I was somewhat excited, to say the least.
As the band entered the stage, they were met with a huge applause from the Audience. Steve went straight into the first track ‘Every Day’ from his solo album Spectral Mornings. A fantastic rendition, in fact one of my favourite Hackett solo songs. Straight away, the band were really on it, so tight, they gel perfectly together and the harmonies are brilliant.
After ‘Every Day’, Steve thanks the audience and warns them that we are in for a long night and that if we were here just for the Genesis stuff, that we’d have to wait until the second half. ‘Now would be a perfect time to go to the bar, come back in about an hour and a half’, – that got a chuckle from the audience. He then introduces the first of his new songs from his latest album, ‘Edge of Light’. ‘Under the Eye of the Sun’ sounded great live. It had such a great energy and the harmony was incredible. I particularly enjoyed watching Steve Hackett’s masterful guitar solo mid way through, but I must also mention Rob Townshend who played the sax with so much passion, I nearly melted.
Up next came ‘Fallen Walls and Pedastals’ and ‘Beasts in Our Time’, again both tracks from the new album. Steve Hackett was quite chatty between songs, I think he was enjoying the interaction with the audience. He joked as he was in Liverpool that he wasn’t sure if any bands had come from here, but it’s only a matter of time. They will. Liverpool will be on the musical map… one day! His sense of humour was really coming through and the audience were lapping it up.
It was back to Spectral Mornings for the next track, ‘The Virgin and the Gypsy’. Drummer Craig Blundell comes down front for this one and lends his vocals. Steve Hackett has swapped his Les Paul for a 12 string acoustic and bass player Jonas Reingold has swapped his Rickenbacker for a double neck guitar/bass. The light show is incredible during this one, creating a hazy dream like effect throughout the song. It was great.
The title track ‘Spectral Mornings’ was received with a cheer. Steve dedicating it to Genesis aficionado Alan Hewitt, who interestingly also runs the webzine TWR (The Waiting Room) Well worth a look! It sent chills down my spine hearing this live. It was something else. Steve’s guitar tone was magnificent, this track especially blew me away. It felt so fresh too. I couldn’t believe I was listening to a piece of music that was 40 years old this year! Incredible is too small a word to sum this piece up.
The first half came to a close with ‘Clocks The Angel of Mons’. Yet another display of excellent musicianship from the whole band and completed by frankly, one of the best drum solo’s I have ever seen. Craig Blundell is an absolute force of nature behind the kit!
Act Two began and it was what everyone was waiting for, Selling England By the Pound, played in full. The chatty Steve Hackett who was laughing and joking in the first act was gone, this was serious and everyone went up a notch. I actually appreciated that. Normally I like audience interaction, but it was nice hearing the album played back to back, with no interruption.
The opening song, ‘Dancing With The Moonlit Knight’ was incredible. It sounded amazing. I can’t quite put into words quite how incredible it was. Again, Steve’s guitar playing was just perfection. Singer Nad Sylvan came into his own during Act Two with more songs and he brought a great energy to the stage. Other musical highlights were of course ‘Firth of Firth’, ‘The Battle of Epping Forest’ and ‘Aisle of Plenty’. In fact, the whole album was delivered with such passion. It was brilliant!
Despite the music having been written in 1973, somehow the band made it sound fresh and contemporary. It wasn’t dated at all, it was, in fact incredible. After playing through the entire album and what an experience that was, Steve announced that there was a song that was written at the same time as the album that didn’t make the final cut. But he wanted to play it for us. The song was ‘Déjà vu’. I wasn’t actually familiar with it, but what an incredible track! Another goosepimples moment. Steve’s guitar was just, again mind blowing! He really can make that guitar talk. The solo was out of this world.
Then it was time for the final song, ‘Dance on a Volcano’. The opening riff kicked in and the audience erupted in applause. The whole band were well and truly firing on all cylinders and this was no exception. What a great way to bring a sensational show to a close. The band finished, said their goodbyes, but no one was going anywhere without an encore. The ritual began, crowd demanding more, band let excitement build before re entering to a huge applause.
‘Myopia/Slogans/Los Endos’ brought the show to a close. What a finale. Steve well and truly demonstrating he can do practically anything on the guitar. Saying that, the whole band are fantastic, Craig Blundell on drums, Rob Townshend seems to be able to play anything he picks up, Roger King on keys is great too and despite him sitting quietly at the back, his brilliance isn’t lost on the crowd. Completing the line up is bassist and second guitarist Jonas Reingold, who can hold his own next to Steve Hackett and that is saying something and singer Nad Sylvan who has got such a fantastic voice. The final chord is played and that is it! Done.
What an absolutely amazing night. Steve Hackett is a true guitar virtuoso. You know, I was thinking entering the venue that at £45 a ticket, this was quite a costly night, however after three hours, I would say it was well and truly value for money. Most bands, you’re lucky if they play an hour and a half. We had twice that on Monday night. I can’t quite put into words just how amazingly brilliant it was. The whole thing just blew me away. If you have never seen Steve Hackett and you are even slightly interested in music, then you are missing out. You have to see this man live! He will blow your mind.
