Review and Photos by Fred Kuhlman
Promoter: Danny Zelisko Presents (https://www.dannyzeliskopresents.com/ )
Venue: Celebrity Theatre (https://celebritytheatre.com/ )
Date: May 12th, 2022
Tour: Genesis Revisited, Seconds Out + more! World Tour 2021/2022
Steve Hackett was part of the powerhouse Progressive Rock band Genesis (Part 2) when Peter Gabriel was part of the group back in the early 70s. Steve was part of the group when they create the master pieces, Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, A Trick of the Tail and finally Wind & Wuthering in 1976.
After leaving Genesis in 1977, Steve embarked on a solo carrier but at times joined other musicians on their albums. In 2019 Steve released, At The Edge of Light. During the pandemic, Steve was busy and created and released his 26th studio album, Under a Mediterranean Sky. Over the past 5 years (except April 2020 to Summer 2021) Steve has pulled together a group of outstanding musicians and performed songs from his newer works, but also some of the classic albums while he was with Genesis. In 2019 I saw them perform the complete Selling England by the Pound album. It was outstanding.
In 1977 Genesis created their second live album (2 record set) that features songs from a number of their previous studio albums. Tonight’s performance was divided into 2 sets. The first set consisted of songs from Steve’s solo years. The second set was the entire recreation of the Seconds Out live album.
This was the 4th time I have Steve Hackett perform. I was lucky enough to see him in 2019 doing the Selling England by the Pound tour. That show was amazing and Steve was definitely at the top of his game. The strange thing is that each time I see Steve he seems to get even better. Steve is currently joined by Roger King and keyboards, Rob Townsend providing multiple instruments including saxophone, flute and keyboards, Craig Blundell on drums and Jonas Reingold on bass and dual neck 12-string guitar and bass with Nad Sylvan provided vocals. This group has been together now for a few years and have developed into a well-oiled machine.
Each member of the band played an integral part but made sure they did not overpower Steve. Nad Sylvan has a unique position in that he is a replacement for Peter Gabriel. In the past I have seen Nad dress up in costumes similar to what Peter use to wear. For this show, Nad did not dress up or put masks on, he just sang. I believe that Nad really stepped up his presence and performance this time providing the vocals necessary to bring the music alive.
Granted this band is mostly performing music from the 70s, but I believe they are one of the more talented Progressive Rock bands performing today. They play old-school style Progressive music even in the new material Steve writes. So many progressive bands today have instead moved into the Progressive Metal sound. It is refreshing to hear good progressive music I grow up with.
If you every want to experience the progressive side of Genesis, then I would highly recommend seeing either a Steve Hackett concert or The Musical Box band concert. With Steve’s show you get a modernized version of the performance without all of the Peter Gabriel antics. The Musical Box group is a tribute band unparallel in its faithful including Peter’s outfits, masks and antics. I have seen both shows and each are magnificent.
You can check out more information about Steve Hackett, his music and upcoming tour dates on either his website or Facebook page.
Website: https://www.hackettsongs.com/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stevehackettofficial/
Photos by Fred Kuhlman, All Rights Reserved
Steve Hackett Setlist: (Album)
Set 1:
Clocks – The Angel of Mons (Spectral Mornings)
Held in the Shadows (Surrender of Silence)
The Devil’s Cathedral (Surrender of Silence)
Shadow of the Hierophant (Voyage of the Acolyte)
Set 2: (Seconds Out):
Squonk (A Trick of the Tail)
The Carpet Crawlers (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway)
Robbery, Assault & Battery
Afterglow (Wind & Wuthering)
Firth of Fifth (Selling England by the Pound)
I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe) (Selling England by the Pound)
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway)
The Musical Box (Nursery Cryme)
Supper’s Ready (FoxTrot)
The Cinema Show (Selling England by the Pound)
Aisle of Plenty (Selling England by the Pound)
Encore:
Dance on a Volcano (A Trick of the Tail)
Drum Solo
Los Endos / Slogans / Los Endos (A Trick of the Tail / Defector)
