STEVE HACKETT’S FOXTROT AT 50 TOUR WRAP’S UP

As Steve Hackett’s ‘Foxtrot at Fifty’ tour comes to a close in the UK it’s perhaps a good time to reflect on it and the impact it has had here. It’s fair to say, Steve has covered most of the UK, even places you’d take the family on holiday and he has left us with a short social media commentary in most of them. But Mr Hackett understands the power of social media and he has used it to good effect. He knows that by putting on an amazing show, not only musically but also visually, your audience is going to share it with their friends far and wide.

All I’ve seen on twitter in recent weeks are pictures of the incredible light show which draws you in to reading how fantastic the experience was, in every single town and city the band visited…. impressive.

With Genesis all but defunct now, it’s left to Steve Hackett to hold the torch for all the early classic Genesis songs, songs he is clearly utterly passionate about. One could argue that if you wanted to see Genesis in all their glory, you’d go and see Steve Hackett’s band before you saw Genesis. Singer, Nad Sylvan is amazing taking on Peter Gabriel’s job with ease but the strength of the rest of the band is just as impressive.

All are seasoned, highly respected progressive rock masters in their own right, with their own bands in many cases. When drummer Craig Blundell has to step away from duties for the European leg of the Foxtrot tour, oh hello, we only get Nick D’ Vigrilio instead, blimey!! Clearly they are drawn to the talent that is Steve Hackett, who effortlessly glides through each and every song and steers a tight ship.

But Steve Hackett is a workhorse, his recorded output is prolific, his solo output is monumental, his work with Genesis will go down in musical history, no wonder he can call on anyone on the planet and ask them if they want to play in his band. You wouldn’t say no.

So, if you’re asking was this UK leg of the tour a success? Before I take a breath, I would say, no question, it’s been phenomenal, not just for the hard-core fans but for those converts, who were dragged in by the social media and maybe went to one of the numerous sold-out shows. Long may you continue to tour your own and Genesis music Mr Hackett, there’s so many more new fans to collect along the way. The juggernaut starts rolling again in November across Europe and then beyond, you’d be a fool to miss it.