Steve Hackett

Live at the Hammersmith Apollo, London, England

12th October 2022

By Robert Corich

Steve Hackett & company dance the merry Foxtrot on last of the UK dates to deliver a triumphant performance at the Hammersmith Apollo, London

What a tour and what a show as Steve Hackett wraps up his latest 25 date UK tour at the Hammersmith Apollo (ne: Odeon) in west London last Wednesday night. The reports from all of his UK shows have been high praising indeed and the Hammersmith show was no exception. It was almost certainly the highlight of the tour for Steve, the band and fans alike where literally nothing could be faulted.

Playing to a packed house the Apollo became the Odeon for the night once again as the crowd lapped up an encapsulating performance that delivered in no uncertain terms. Hammersmith really was like days of old, only with cleaner floors and enhanced by the beautifully restored decor of this iconic venue.

Kicking off with a stunning version of ‘Ace of Wands’ it was clear Mr Hackett and Co. were going to take no prisoners. Next up was the epic masterpiece ‘The Devil’s Cathedral’ from his recent superb lockdown studio release ‘Surrender of Silence’, delivered with confidence and aplomb that Hackett and his band make look so easy.

Third in line was ‘Spectral Mornings’ from his 1979 album of the same name. The beautiful Amanda Lehmann adding a little grunge and spice to the proceedings. Spectral it was indeed.

Also from the ‘Spectral Mornings’ album was the familiar and sometimes assuringly predictable ‘Every Day’ which added a rather nice groove to the proceedings. It just works, every time.

A second offering of three from Steve’s debut solo album came in the form of ‘A Tower Struck Down’ which was the perfect forerunner to what became the finale and highlight of the first set.

The set concluded with a hauntingly beautiful rendition of ‘ Shadow of the Hierophant’, a song that sounds better every time I hear it. Amanda Lehmann in top form vocally once again. For any other artist one could have gone home completely satisfied at this point.

However Steve Hackett is no ordinary artist and after a short beer break Hackett & Co. returned to the stage for a wee bit of Foxtrotting. Well actually it was more than a wee bit, with this truly talented collection of musicians delivering fifty plus minutes of the classic 1972 Genesis album ‘Foxtrot’ in its entirety and original playing order.

With Hackett and his band delivering sublime modern live coverage of several earlier Genesis albums such as ‘Wind & Wuthering’, ‘Selling England By The Pound’ and his swan song 1977 live album ‘Seconds Out’ in their entirety or near entirety over the last decade it was only a matter of time before he would hopefully start digging deeper. And dig deep he did, delivering another highlight from that rich cannon of music Genesis had written during those heady years where Peter Gabriel carried the mantle and Steve Hackett was a major influence in the bands direction and writing.

So how did this up to date delivery of ‘Foxtrot’ fare compared to the original and those other recent full full album deliveries?

The original ‘Foxtrot’ is an amazing album where Genesis really were becoming a force to be reckoned in the early seventies music. This 2022 live presentation at Hammersmith was nothing short of hair-raisingly brilliant. The album was diligently and beautifully presented to a crowd that not only knew every word but was ready and willing to hear these beautiful tunes once again in their entirety. Steve and the band did not disappoint.

Hearing tunes that had never been played live by Genesis in their day and would likely never have been aired live had it not been for Mr Hackett letting us experience the complete album was another notch on the way to Genesis immortality. The standing ovation from the nearly 3,500 strong crowd certainly proof to that.

For the encore we were dished out a sublime version of ‘Firth of Fifth’, followed by a pretty cool drum (n’ bass) solo that segued into a rousing version of ‘Los Endos’ from 1976’s ‘Trick of the Tail’ with a crunching version of ‘Slogans’ from 1980’s ‘Defector’ album inserted with the finale. A stunning finish to a stunning performance.

I can’t wait for the inevitable DVD/CD set from the ‘Foxtrot’ tour. .

Such was the superb delivery of ‘Foxtrot Live’ one can only hope that he covers the ‘Nursery Chryme’, ‘Trespass’ and the epic ‘The Lamb Lies Down Broadway’ albums from the Gabriel period in the not too distant future.

The ‘Trespass’ album although originally recorded with Anthony Phillips became the aural exibitions that initiated Steve Hackett into the Genesis live arena and would be the one to pitch for. To hear the ‘Trespass’ album played live in its entirety by such masterful musicians would be a treat for all Genesis fans indeed. Not so subtle hint absolutely intended.

Featuring in Steve’s touring band are Amanda Lehmann on vocals and guitar, Roger King on keyboards, Rob Townsend on sax, flute, bass pedals and all manner of other instruments, Jonas Reingold on bass and guitar, Craig Blundell on drums and all other things one can hit with sticks and of course Nad Sylvan on vocals, red lenses and all things Gabriel this band really are a tour de force

With the band now taking a well earned one month break before heading out in mid November to Italy, Canada and the US this year and then Northern Europe in April and May of 2023 there’s still time to catch this amazing show somewhere out on the road.

It’s not one to miss.

Setlist: Part I

1. Ace of Wand’s

2. The Devil’s Cathedral

3. Spectral Mornings

4. Every Day

5. A Tower Struck Down

6. Camino Royale

7. Shadow of the Hierophant

Setlist: Part II - Foxtrot

1. Watcher of the Skies

2. Time Table

3. Get ‘em Out by Friday

4. Can Utility and the Coastliners

5. Horizons

6. Supper’s Ready

Encore:

1. Firth of Fifth

2. Drum solo

3. Los Endos (inc Slogans)