‘So here I am once more in the playground of the broken hearts…’

Fish and his music have been a constant in my life for the past 42 years. I first saw him onstage back on the 31^st December 1983 as Marillion played out the old year in the Edinburgh Playhouse. I even managed to get my programme signed after waiting in the rain at the backstage door.

Since that night I have seen Fish many times in venues large and small, hell I even saw him playing in a Golf Club car park at one point, but regardless of the venue it was always about three things, the music, the show and The Company. Oh, for the company, dream of the company, live for the company until I die…

This was the first sold out night of two where the faithful finally say farewell to Fish before he heads off for his new life crofting in the Hebrides. As the lights dimmed and the strains of ‘The Thieving Magpie (La Gazza Ladra)’ filled the air, a huge cheer went up as the band took to the stage. As the opening bars of ‘Vigil’ started, Fish entered stage left and the cheer that went up at that point was deafening, it was clear this was going to be a special night

On this ‘Road To The Isles’ tour the setlist has rotated each night, but as Fish later explained, all the songs were chosen as they have a deep personal meaning to him and these are the songs he wanted to play as his final farewell. Next up tonight was ‘Pipeline’ from the ‘Suits’ album that was then followed by ‘Weltschmerz’ complete with great harmony vocals ably provided by Liz Antwi.

Fish then paused to take in the crowd and the applause. He seemed genuinely blown away by the reception from the Glasgow crowd, although he was very much preaching to the converted on this occasion. He joked that this tour was no Elton John style farewell and that this is most definitely where it all ends.

An excellent rendition of ‘Shadowplay’ was up next, followed by Fish talking about his first solo tour and how the lyrics of ‘Family Business’ appeared to have struck a particular chord with a member of the audience in Portree in Skye. As he explained he always has been a songwriter first and a singer second, so to see the resonance that night was a special, if slightly troubling, moment.

‘Goldfish and Clowns’ went down a storm before Fish introduced ‘The High Wood’ suite with tales of his trip to the battlefields of the Somme and the stories of the fallen. This was an emotional rollercoaster as Fish sang out the heartfelt lyrics which mean so much to him. All the while there were images of the horrors of war being shown on the on-stage screen to accompany the music.

We then had the first foray into his Marillion back catalogue with a very apt version of ‘Slainte Mhath’ that had many in the crowd raising a glass to Fish in thanks for the music that has soundtracked so many lives over the last 40 odd years, my own included.

If you are familiar with any of Fish’s social media pages, then you will have seen many (many!) pictures taken on the Waverley Steps in Edinburgh. ‘Waverley Steps (End Of The Line)’ was next on the setlist and featured an amazing guitar solo from Robin Boult to round out the song. Robin, along with Mickey Simmonds on Keyboards and Steve Vantsis on bass have been the backbone of Fish’s solo band for many years and these gigs must be as emotional for them as they are for the man himself.

The main set was then rounded off with a great version of ‘Raw Meat’ which was again introduced by Fish with the story behind the song and the revelation that his ancestors had played in the music halls of old as ‘raw meat for the balcony’, hence the title.

The band left the stage to the sound of the crowd singing out the closing lines of ‘Raw Meat’ and huge cheers. However, it wasn’t long before they reappeared, and the cover of the ‘Fugazi’ album flashed up on the onstage screen much to the crowds delight.

Considering that the album was released almost exactly 41 years prior to tonight’s show, the title track is probably more relevant now than ever given the current world order. The crowd sang along with gusto, especially on the closing lines which continued, whilst again, the band left the stage, all be it briefly.

We were on the home straight now with Fish announcing they had a strict curfew time of 11pm, but they were going to cram in what they could before that much to the crowd’s delight. ‘Lucky’ was first out the traps, again with much crowd participation throughout the song. The band then upped the ante as they launched into ‘Market Square Heroes’ which had the throng screaming out an affirmative answer to the question ‘are you following me?’

Only one song could close proceedings though and as Fish dedicated ‘The Company’ to everyone present there was many a watery eye in the house. We sang, we ballet danced and we celebrated the end of something that we have all been part of for more years than we care to remember.

This then was the beginning of the end with only 1 more show to go, or as Fish put it ‘My name is Derek, or Fish for one more night…’

And with that the crowd drifted out into the night with their own thoughts and memories of being a fully subscribed member of The Company. Who knew back in ‘83 that the ‘playground of the broken hearts’ would turn out to be a slightly run down concert hall in central Glasgow…

Fish, it’s been a blast, enjoy your own Internal Exile.

Review and photos by Dave Wilson.

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

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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 6 April 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 8 April 2025

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Power Plays w/c 21 April 2025

THE DEVIL WEARS NADA Late Night Talking (Eonian Records)
DROWNING POOL Madness (SBG Records)
PARKER BARROW Make It (indie)
REDIKIN Nailed It (Wormholedeath)
PENNY FOUNTAIN Euphoria (indie)
CRY FOR MERCY Saving Grace (indie)
VIGILANTES Life In The Fast Brain (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 21 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)

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