19th October, Marillion in Muziekcentrum Enschede

 

My last Marillion concert dates back to 2022 (Eindhoven), just after the release of their latest album An Hour before it's dark. I didn't go to one of the weekends and I didn't go to Pompeii and that's a matter of making choices. With some jealousy I always read the many exuberant reports that are actually always extremely positive and speak of a band in top form. So I was very happy when a friend of mine told me that she had arranged tickets (thanks again Dianne) for the concert that the band would give in Enschede, and that finally is close to where I live. My wife also came along, so we had a driver, and despite the fact that it was Monday we could still have a beer.

After a small detour, also in Enschede many streets are out, we arrived in time at the Music Center. It was immediately noticeable that it was busy and of course it was already known that it was sold out. When we entered the hall, all the beautiful seats were gone, as expected, and the middle area was already full. When we thought we could occupy a spot on the stairs, so that we could see everything well, despite our small height, a lady immediately came to us and told us that no one was allowed to stand on the stairs during the concert because of safety requirements. So, we had to find another place and eventually stood on the side behind the seats. However, it got really crowded and to our great surprise, the stairs were completely full in no time, how come safety requirements?

I myself am never a fan of support acts and tonight it became clear once again why. The three gentlemen of Unbelievable Truth certainly did their best, but there was no question of warming up the audience for the main act. Pretty saltless and almost soporific, the men worked their way through their set, especially the vocals stood out. The harmony vocals were quite okay but the whiny character of the lead singer's voice did not do it any good. The crowd was polite but not excited at all.

At nine o'clock sharp, the first familiar sounds flowed into the hall and I knew from all the passing set-lists on facebook that Gaza would be the opening song, and let that be one of my favourite Marillion songs . Overtaken by the current state of affairs in "that small strip of land" it became clear once again how topical the text still is. Hogarth’s voice sounded spot on and the band really got things going. That didn't seem to be quite the case with the audience, maybe that's due to the down-to-earth character of my fellow locals, but the response was a bit lukewarm, as we say over here. I stood between several motionless, and seemingly emotionless, fellow visitors and almost felt burdened to sing or clap along. Of course I did, but I don't know if it was appreciated. Of course, several people  thought it was necessary to film entire parts of the performance with their mobile phones, fucking annoying.

After Gaza came the "hit" You're gone and that's not really my thing but well, for those who  have been following Marillion from the very beginning, like me, it is no surprise that the more poppy songs are played as well. I won't name the entire setlist but I do want to mention the only new song they played. Ribbons and Lace is a short and fairly quiet song in which Rothery switches to a guitar with a clearly different sound to play a small solo. I missed the sparkle that is always so characteristic of his sound. Nice track but for me, this song will most likely not be the highlight of the new album that is being worked on, as Hogarth assured us. The pressure is on because after An Hour before it's dark,  expectations are sky high again.

A surprise was the replacement of Enlightened by Go, and that was probably to create a bit more connection with the audience that was clearly a bit less enthusiastic than what I was used to at my previous Marillion concerts . As a big fan of the first four albums with Fish as singer, I jumped up when I heard Hotel Hobbies but unfortunately the two vocal tracks, which complete this suite ( That Time of the Night and Warm wet Circles), were omitted.

Because we were standing all the way to the left of the stage, it seemed as if Mark Kelly's keys  were barely audible at first and that did not benefit the overall sound. This got better later and so did the enthusiasm of the audience. Hogarth was relaxed and created a great atmosphere with his dry humour, despite the fact that his guitar had decided to refuse regular service this evening. And it is also no surprise that Rothery was once again the star of the evening with his great and so recognizable playing. But it is the whole that makes Marillion a top band, Mosley and Trewavas together form a great rhythm section that any band would be jealous of.

Hogarth's voice held up effortlessly and occasionally the audience was allowed to take over the role of singer and, it said somewhat hesitantly, that also happened as with encore Sugar Mice. What a great song that is.

If you have seen the band as often as I have, it is unavoidable that you will rate a performance compared to previously visited ones and then my conclusion is simple. Marillion is still a fantastic band and always will be for me. It is almost inevitable to also see images and reactions of the first concerts of this tour and when you see that in England a special choir participated, which was really great to see and hear, then I have the impression that the lack of the strings from In Praise of Folly and the percussion by unfortunately deceased Luis Jardim,  has resulted in a little less complete overall sound. As a lover of watching concerts on blu-ray, I think I got used to the presence of those extras and missed this a bit, which made it all sound a bit "bare".  On the other hand, you can also say that it was purely about the five heroes, and their abilities, that once again proved that they can still put on a great show, and that for a bunch of older men. And more good news; There is more to come!

Normally I try to get some pictures to include in my review but I decided not to, this time. I don’t take pictures myself and to be very honest, I am getting tired of all those people holding up their phones all the time. Maybe we should do what the schools do, hand in your mobile phones before entering the venue. Just an idea.