Steve Hackett - Live

The London Palladium

21st, 22nd & 23rd September 2021

By Robert Corich

The long-awaited tour by Steve Hackett - along with a separate tour by his former band Genesis - is now upon us. So, to be able to attend a few of Steve’s gigs at the iconic London Palladium was truly a privilege and a joy and he certainly did not disappoint. The concert, as so many are nowadays in these posh venues, was set out in two parts. Of course, the reasons behind this abound not least because band members and fans alike in their elder years need a bathroom break!

Artist toilet habits aside, the opener of ‘Clocks - The Angel Of Mons’ from Hackett’s 1979 classic, ‘Spectral Mornings’ set the proceedings flowing beautifully. Featuring Amanda Lehmann on guitar and vocals, the delivery set the bar high right from the beginning. ‘Clocks’ was followed by ‘Held In The Shadows’ a beautiful track from Steve’s most recent studio release ‘Surrender Of Silence’. Hackett’s signature solo track ‘Everyday’, also from ‘Spectral Mornings’, was third in line and delivered with his usual aplomb.

The fourth song in the sequence was the second of two tracks from his latest studio album: ‘The Devils Cathedral’. Introduced by Steve with a veiled reference at someone trying to slip illegitimately into the shoes of another, which certainly made one wonder who this was actually written about. Prog fans who know Hackett’s earlier collaborations might like to hazard a guess at who this might be. Interestingly, the same pointed references were not highlighted on the third evening. ‘The Devils Cathedral’ is a monster song from beginning to end, viciously brilliant frankly. The only way this one could be topped was by the song that followed immediately afterwards. ‘Shadow Of The Hierophant’, his masterpiece from his debut solo album featuring the vibrant Amanda Lehmann was a show stopper, at least for the first set, both literally and figuratively as this is where the oldies pee break had been set.

Now to the recreation of Genesis’s 1977 double live album release ‘Seconds Out’. The last full Genesis release to feature Steve Hackett. Steve and his superb collection of musicians featuring Nad Sylvan who’s vocal delivery was just sublime, Roger King playing keyboard flourishes with precision and perfection, Rob Townsend on sax, flute and a myriad of other musical toys, Jonas Reingold on bass guitar, twelve string and vocals, all rounded out by a brilliant Craig Blundell on drums. Three gigs on the trot, not to mention the earlier dates in other towns, and these amazing musicians didn’t put a foot wrong delivering an outstanding rendition of eighty odd minutes of the full seventies live opus.

Nad Sylvan delivering his wonderful and quite exquisite vocal delivery of tracks that both Peter Gabriel and Phil Collins had sung on the originals and then Collins had sung on the original live concerts that ‘Seconds Out’ was compiled from. Thirteen tracks delivered in the way maybe only Steve Hackett can do. Highlights were aplenty but the standouts were ‘Firth Of Fifth’, the epic ‘Suppers Ready’ and ‘The Cinema Show’ where Hackett’s playing was nothing short of magical.

From the opening bars of ‘Squonk’ to the closing notes of ‘Los Endos’, even including parts of ‘Slogans’ from 1980’s ‘Defector’ slipped into ‘Dance The Volcano’ and the delivery was superb. These Palladium shows were the ultimate experience for any lover of what has become known as the classic Genesis period. Add to the mix the wonderful light show that often replicated a near-exact example of those original late seventies ‘Seconds Out’ shows. Frankly, I think it’s going to be extremely difficult for Genesis ‘Three’ on their current tour to top the current Steve Hackett shows.

Mr Hackett really has become the real Mr Genesis himself with this live presentation. Superbly impressive.

Setlist:

Part One:

Clocks - The Angel Of Mons
Held In The Shadows
Every Day
The Devils Cathedral
Shadow Of The Hierophant

Part Two

Squonk
The Carpet Crawlers
Robbery, Assault & Battery
Afterglow
Firth Of Fifth
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
The Musical Box
Suppers Ready
The Cinema Show
Aisle Of Plenty
Dance The Volcano / Slogans
Los Endos

Steve Hackett interview - Decibel Report spoke to Steve in 2020, around the time that the ‘Seconds Out’ was originally due to start. (before its postponement to this year).

Steve Hackett live at The Palladium, London