DVD review: PETER GABRIEL – Back To Front: Live in London

Peter Gabriel - Back To Front Live in London

Eagle Rock [Release date 23.06.14]

While Steve Hackett has been doing a stunning job of breathing fresh life into the early Genesis back catalogue, Peter Gabriel has been backtracking a mere 25 years to similar acclaim. In his case, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the release of So – the album that saw him venture into ‘pop’, pen a sting of ‘classics’ like ‘Red Rain’, ‘Mercy Street’, ‘Don’t Give Up’, ‘Sledgehammer’ and ‘Big Time’, and hit #1 in the UK, #2 in the US.

For this spectacular live tour, Gabriel’s reunited his original So touring band of David Rhodes (guitar), David Sancious (keys), Tony Levin (bass) and Manu Katché (drums) and they put on an unparalleled display of dexterity, supported on backing vocals by the equally impressive Jennie Abrahamson (fabulous on ‘Don’t Give Up’) and Linnea Olsson. A self-confessed hoarder, Gabriel has also resurrected the original show lighting booms, and with lighting director Rob Sinclair used cutting edge technology to create a veritable visual feast.

As Gabriel himself explains, the show is in 3 parts – the first an acoustic set played in the full glare of the house lights, followed by an electronic transitioned in dramatic fashion before the main course – So played in its entirety for the first time. Of course, Gabriel was never a conventional ‘pop’ or rock star – always pushing the envelope – and Back To Front isn’t so much a gig, as an irresistible experience.

If you’re thinking of indulging, there are, naturally these days, both DVD and bluerays, plus deluxe editions that offer a 60 page hardback photo , a double CD and a second disc containing the theatrical version of Back To Front plus additional interviews and montage versions of Solsbury Hill and Sledgehammer.

What’s striking – the aural and visual experience aside – is the realisation that in 1986 Gabriel became the messiah for a generation whose formative years weren’t in the 1970′s. As a result the demographic of the Back To Front and Genesis Revisited tours are unusually different. Popular demand means the show will (like Hackett’s) be taking to the road in the UK again in the autumn.

You’d be well advised to drink deeply from both fountains. *****

Review by Pete Whalley

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions,

Check out radio stream repeat on Tuesday 8th (16:00 GMT) and Thursday 10th April (21:00 GMT)
Next Session: Sunday 4 May

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 2 March 2025.

UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast on 4 March 2025

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen live or listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 7 April 2025

SEVEN BLOOD To The Unknown (indie)
FROM FALL TO SPRING Incomplete (Arising Empire)
POP EVIL Side Effects (MNRK Heavy)
ERJA LYYTINEN Abyss (Tuohi Records)
SKY VALLEY MISTRESS Too Many Ghosts (New Heavy Sounds)

Featured Albums w/c 7 April 2025

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003 – 2024 (Singer Songwriter)

Our occasional Newsletter signposts latest additions to the website(s). We also include a selection of recent top albums, based on GRTR! reviewer ratings. The newsletter is sent out a few times a year.

If you’d like to register to receive this occasional mailing please complete the form:

If using a smartphone/tablet please tap here or re-orientate your device

(Note that this registration is separate from site registration which allows you to leave comments and receive daily emails about new content. If you wish to register for this – in addition or separately – please click or tap here – for more information – the form is at the foot of each page. Please read our privacy policy when opting-in to receive emails.