Wolverhampton Civic Hall

20/05/2001

The Astoria, London

10/10/2001

The Newport Centre

08/07/2004

Venue: Wolverhampton Civic Hall      Date: May 20th 2001

In the 18 years I have been an anorak, I have only ever had one chance meeting with Marillion - which is quite surprising for this type of anorak!  The first thing I asked Mark Kelly and Steve Rothery then, back in '93 on the 'Brave' tour, was about their favourite venues.  The Civic Hall came out as one of the best and it's not hard to see why...

This was the third time I had seen the band here - but not since the 'Afraid of Sunlight' tour of '95. The Civic is just the right size for Marillion, not too big, not too small; intimate enough to get across the very special atmosphere they regularly generate and large enough to accommodate their obviously loyal midlands following.

In the six years that have passed, I can see that the audience and their expectations have changed slightly and subtly, and I sensed a much deeper commitment and union.  This was typified when Hogarth asked how many had purchased the new album 12 months ago - virtually every one of the 1,500 or so raised their hand!

The understanding between both parties is such that songs are rarely introduced any more. Sounds obvious you might think - but it is somewhat surprising that Marillion do not accommodate new participants, that they still clearly want, by doing this?

With eight album's worth of Hogarth-era material to pick from, this Marillion don't really need to delve back into the further past to satisfy the crowd and this was totally justified, judging by the sheer quality of the set which had most of the audience captivated for two hours.

When I first heard 'AOS', and particularly the live versions, it seemed rather flat after 'Brave' but this material was the core of the set and I must say those songs have matured wonderfully over the six years. The title track 'Afraid of Sunlight' received easily the best reception of the night, we were also treated to 'King' and the amazing 'Out of This World', as well as part of 'Cannibal Surf Babe' which was merged onto the new track 'Fruit Of The Wild Rose'.

While some fans have criticised some of the Hogarth era albums for not being 'their' Marillion, it is clear that the hardcore live audience fully appreciates and welcomes their divergence into other musical forms, while maintaining their hallmark style.  I think this concert proved to me, beyond doubt, that all of their albums have some genuine magic, which is perhaps not immediately obvious, but definitely there. What you are buying into is a volume of work, from which excerpts like these are taken.  After the concert, I could not wait to revisit some of those albums!

Interspersed between the new material, we heard 'Go' from the '.com' album, (again a somewhat maligned album - but you cannot deny that this song is pure class) spoilt only slightly here, when some of Mark's exquisite keyboard work got slightly lost in the mix.  Also, 'Man of A Thousand Faces' from 'This Strange Engine' was played with incredible power and energy.

Excerpts from 'Brave' culminated in the awesome 'Falling From The Moon', my favourite Marillion track, coming across with tangible emotion and amazing force; played with impeccable timing, all built upon what seems to be an effortless writing and performing understanding between the five ... a tighter band you will struggle to see - and what was particularly noticeable to me was the strength of Hogarth's voice, faultless on the night.

So, to the new material from Anoraknophobia. We were introduced to 'Separated Out', which comes from a long tradition line of 'stock rock' numbers which I could take or leave in all honesty.  Next up was the funky 'Quartz' (which always reminds me of 'Karmacoma' by Massive Attack) coming across pretty well, followed by the obvious sing along, single type track, 'Map Of The World'. 'Fruit of the Wild Rose' was the Anne Robinson of the evening, seeming a bit disjointed and slightly awkward and prompting some of the touring fans to go to the bar!

I was slightly disappointed not to hear 'When I Meet God' and 'This Is The 21st Century' which I think are the two really sophisticated and most interesting tracks on the album, but hopefully they are being stored for our future delectation.

The encores were unusual bedfellows I thought - the favourite newbie 'Between You and Me'; 'Waiting To Happen', the oldest song here from 1991's 'Holidays in Eden'; 'The Answering Machine' being the only evidence from 'Radiation', but now an obvious 'Garden Party' replacement, and finally 'If My Heart Were A Ball It Would Roll Uphill' - which I suspect is going to be one that lasts particularly well.

If you are a genuine music lover, Marillion are a rare band who deserve to be cherished, particularly live.  I believe they are at their best NOW and if you want to see them, I suggest you don't leave it too long ...  Don't wash, 'Go' and be an Anorak!

The only question left is ... When are we going to get an actual anorak added to the official merchandise?

Martin Morgan

Venue: The Astoria, London                 Date 10th October, 2001

Set List: This Strange Engine, Quartz, When I Meet God, This Town, The Rake's Progress, 100 Nights, Goodbye To All That, Afraid Of Sunlight, Out Of This World, This Is The 21st Century, Map Of The World, King. Encores: The Great Escape, Easter, Between You And Me.

The last time I saw Marillion, on the 'marillion.com' tour I thought they were disappointing - the sound of a band going through the motions. However, the excellent new album 'Anaraknophobia' persuaded me to give them another chance, and I'm glad I did - this was an excellent gig, performed by a band who somehow seem revitalised.

After an wait following the excellent set by support band White Buffalo, Marillion stroll on and immediately surprise everyone by digging straight into the epic 'This Strange Engine'.  This is an inspired and popular choice which receives great cheers, even through the song as it changes from one section to the next, whilst the emotional climax is handled brilliantly.

The band then plough through a couple of new songs; the superb, almost Massive Attack-esque 'Quartz' and the poignant 'When I Meet God', before again going back a few years for a piece I imagine they hadn't played for a while; the 'This Town... 100 Nights' sequence from 'Holidays In Eden'. Frankly it's a joy to hear Steve Rothery's trademark soloing, which isn't so much a part of the band's sound these days.

Steve Hogarth throws on a black tunic and performs some OTT theatrics for 'Goodbye To All That', the epic journey through ambient and electronic soundscapes from the band's 'Brave' album, which really does build into an awesome display of controlled sonic mayhem, the crowd loving every minute of it.

Hogarth, in energetic form tonight, is dressed in sparkling white again for two atmospheric tracks from 'Afraid Of Sunlight', before the start of the wonderful 'This Is The 21st Century' blairs out of the speakers. This track has a thicker, more powerful sound than on the album, but this doesn't detract from its emotional impact - in this case more is more!

Steve Hogarth next delivers his first real speech to the crowd, basically doing a marketing job for the new single, apparently the first worldwide release on the internet.  It's a persuasive sell, and there's a great gig moment where Steve asks who wants the new single - hands shoot up, and Steve says 'Well who's come furthest?'. A willing hand straight up at the front, and Steve embraces the bloke, before announcing 'give the man a hand - all the way from Pakistan!

Much cheering ensues, before an energetic performance of the single. 'King', also generates a momet to cherish when, during a gap after the intro, some wag at the back shouts out "Ian Mosley for president!" - much laughter follows, and a pair of drumsticks are thrown into the crowd by the First Drummer. "Now there's a man who knows when to choose his moment!" deadpans Hogarth, before a spellbinding performance of the 'Afraid Of Sunlight' track, with an awesome lightshow accompanying the frenzied instrumental conclusion, leaving the crowd baying for more once the band leave the stage.

After another seemingly endless wait, the band reappear and play a flawless 'The Great Escape', before again leaving for a long break. When they return, Steve Rothery has an acoustic in his hands and the crowd are baying for 'Easter' which somewhat unsurprisingly but very welcomingly follows. Steve Hogarth, after commenting on the song's lyrical content - the Irish troubles - makes a brief comment about recent tragic events, but thankfully there's no preaching, and he leaves the emotion for his delivery of the song, the conclusion of which he positively howls. I've never seen Hogarth so animated before.  The upbeat Anaraknophobia track 'Between You And Me' concludes things, a fine sendoff with the crowd clapping along and bellowing out the chorus at the top of their lungs.

Everything seemed to click tonight - the sound was good, the band and audience were fired up, and the choice of songs spot on - although a couple of tracks from the underrated 'marillion.com' wouldn't have gone amiss, but then you can't play everything, and at least there was no 'Kayleigh' trotted out in the encore's - the ghost of Fish laid well and truly to rest ... a great gig!

Tom

Venue: The Newport Centre              Date 08th July, 2004

Persistence will always bring its own reward and, however unfashionable they may be, Marillion have always shown strong determination and in the process have proved that there is an audience for their music.

The internet saved the band's life.  The idea of persuading and encouraging the vast fan-base to part with their hard earned cash to finance recording and promotional needs has worked wonders. So much so, that their last single 'You're Gone' reached number seven in the singles charts.  Who said miracles couldn't happen! Marillion have proved that the internet can be good for artist and fan alike with pre-orders for 'Marbles', the latest album, exceeding all expectations.

The five piece took to a stage bathed in light, with a big screen backdrop which they used to good effect, showing arty images and close-ups of band members in various poses.  The concert was split into two parts: first up, a rendition of the new album...

Although there was initial reticence to the unfamiliar songs, the quality of the material soon won over the unsure masses.  They opened with 'The Invisible Man', followed by 'Angelina' - about a "nurse" who will tend to your every need - a song that probably represents the definitive male fantasy.  The new single 'Don't Hurt Yourself' has the potential to be a huge hit. Please, powers that be, give this song the chance it deserves - and maybe champagne corks will be popping for all concerned.

The first half over, the show reintroduced some old favourites including 'This Is The 21st Century' and ' Living With The Big Lie'.  After the brilliant  'Between You And Me' the euphoria reached a higher level and, in a moment of madness, Steve Hogarth decided to scale the speaker cabinets, much to the roadies' dismay. In panic they ran to the front of the stage to stop the speakers, and singer, from crashing to the ground.

It would be doing the band a disservice to single out individual performances, but I feel I have to highlight the exceptional achievements of guitarist, Steve Rothery. He is an accomplished, yet understated musician that seems genuinely moved by the audience's reaction to his virtuoso playing.

Likewise Steve Hogarth, who commanded the stage with self-belief and humour and had the expectant crowd hanging onto his every word.  Not your usual run-of-the-mill, self obsessed, macho front-men, seeking praise at every turn - but an artist in possession of a magnificent voice, a better than average keyboard player, with an on-stage aura that I can only describe as like the 'ready break glow'.  The complete front-man, without the need for an ego.  On top of this, his dry sense of humour was evident throughout the evening. For example, just before the break he announced "the bad news is, the band will be off stage for a few minutes; the good news is, we aren't coming back". Priceless!

Most bands in this day and age are puppets to the string pulling record labels - but with the freedom their fans have afforded them, Marillion are effectively in charge of their own destiny and the 'Marbles' tour is definitely one for the fans, who through good and bad times have kept the faith. They were rewarded by an awesome performance as Marillion's way of saying thank you.

Rob Holmes