Many classic rock bands are now in the position where every year is either the 40th or 50th anniversary of something, formation, landmark tours, album releases, you name it. What this does is allow bands the opportunity to cash in on, sorry, celebrate, their heritage and it allows fans to hear the classics one more time.

With Steve Hackett’s Genesis back catalogue now hitting the big 5-0 it was no surprise when his latest tour was entitled ‘Foxtrot at Fifty and Hackett Highlights’, promising the said album played in its entirety along with other Hackett classics, an enticing package…

Over the last few years Steve’s live sets have consisted of two parts and tonight was no different. The first 45 minutes were to be given over to highlights of his solo career then, following a quick break, the band would return for the Genesis set.

Opening the first set tonight was the instrumental ‘Ace Of Wands’ which demonstrated ably how good all the musicians on stage were and confirmed we were in for a good night. Nad Sylvan then joined the stage to provide vocals on ‘Devil’s Cathedral’ which Steve explained is an everyday tale of love, infidelity, death and marriage, not necessarily in that order!

A spiritual ‘Spectral Morning’ followed with sublime fretwork from Mr Hackett before a fantastic version of ‘Everyday’ proved to be an early set highlight. The jagged riff to ‘A Tower Struck Down’ had been written, according to Steve, by his brother John and he advised that you can’t dance to it!

The song proved to be one of the heavier moments of the night and finished off with an extended bass solo by Jonas Reingold disproving the old adage that bass players are the lowest common denominator in the band. Reingold would also show his six-string prowess later in the night, a true all-rounder.

The bass solo led into ‘Camino Royale’ from 1983’s ‘Highly Strung’ album which was great to hear with Steve again on great form. The solo set then ended with the end section of ‘Shadow Of The Hierophant’ with the incessant riff building steadily from quiet beginnings into a glorious, climactic ending complete with Reingold’s bass pedals sending seismic tremors through the hall, shaking it to it’s very foundations. On that ground moving note, Steve announced that they would be back in 20 minutes with Foxtrot and the band left the stage to huge applause.

Anticipation was high as the lights dimmed once more for the Foxtrot set. Roger King was bathed in light as he played the dramatic keyboard opening section of ‘Watcher Of The Skies’. The rest of the band then joined in on the staccato riff, whilst Nad climbed to a platform at the rear of the stage with lights providing him with burning red eyes. Always one of my favourite Genesis songs, tonight’s version didn’t disappoint.

The gentle strains of ‘Time Table’ followed providing a brief respite before ‘Get Em Out By Friday’ took the pace back up again with Nad doing a great job on the narrative vocal with a bit of help from Steve and Rob Townsend in the mid-section.

One track that seldom makes a setlist is ‘Can-Utility and the Coastliners’ and on tonight’s showing it is one that needs to make a more regular appearance. With a great melody and sublime playing by all the band it was a joy to hear.

Steve then took centre stage, seated with acoustic in hand, for ‘Horizons’. His playing on the track was mesmerising and for any aspiring guitarists it either gave you a life goal or sent you home to burn your guitar in the realisation that you will never achieve that virtuoso pinnacle.

That just left the closing track from the Foxtrot album, a little number entitled ‘Supper’s Ready’. From the opening bars, with Steve and Jonas Reingold perfectly in tune on the dual guitar parts, to the closing extended solo from Steve, the epic track was stunning. Nad, again, excelled on the vocals ably tackling all the nuances throughout the song originally created by Mr Gabriel. The cheers at the end were deafening and well deserved, what a way to end the 50th birthday party for the Foxtrot album!

However, it wasn’t quite the end of the night as the guys returned to the stage for another couple of songs starting with a crowd favourite in the shape of ‘Firth Of Fifth’. The song is another tour de force for Steve, with his mid song solo showing once again why the crowds turn up annually for their fix of classic Genesis.

Drummer Craig Blundell, who had played up a storm all evening, then got a chance to shine as the band launched into ‘Los Endos’. The traditional set closer impressed once more with the whole band giving their all one last time, what a way to close out a fantastic night.

Steve Hackett may have turned 72 but he shows no signs of slowing down and his playing is as impressive as ever. Coupled with a group of excellent musicians he is keeping alive the Genesis legacy and tonight proved once more that the appetite to hear the songs live has not abated.

We are now into a run of Genesis albums reaching that 5o year milestone, fingers crossed Steve will be around to light the candles again over the next few years.

Review and Photos by David Wilson

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Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

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