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Pictures from Marillion concert

Steve Hogarth

Steve Rothery

Steve Hogarth & me

Marillion - Somewhere Else tour, Prague, 19th May

The British band Marillion is a very specific element in the contemporary music. Emerged from a progressive rock band of the 80s they have changed their direction rapidly in the 90s as the new singer Steve Hogarth has joined the band. With this guy Marillion have shifted their sound much closer to poprock, but at the same time they are still maintaining some of the prog rock attributes. Altogether their music can be described as a melodic poprock with very remarkable lead vocals and at the same time quite varied instrumental part and structure of the music. In other words if someone, who likes Robbie Williams, asked me for some nice and slightly more sophisticated music, this is what I would recommend to him.
I have seen Marillion in 2004 when they have concerted in Prague for the first time. It still counts among my best concert experiences and this time it was an easy decision, whether to go to see their concert again. This year Marillion are promoting their new album called Somewhere Else, and honestly I don't think this is going to be considered as one of their masterpieces, therefore I was expecting perhaps a less amazing concert than last time. Well, scepticism sometimes leads to a positive surprise, and this has definitely been the case.
First of all the concert was pretty much different this time. In 2004 it took place in Lucerna, this time suprisingly in Retro Music Hall, which is a place maybe 5 times smaller. It was really full and the atmosphere was great. In 2004 the concert was divided in 2 parts, the 1st one consisted of the whole 1CD version of the promoted Marbles album, then after the break they have played some older music. This time there was no break, Marillion have played only 4 songs from Somewhere Else (and I appreciate the choice of those 4) and they were mixed with older stuff. And mainly I am happy that Marillion are not afraid to change their setlist, they do not rely just on few classic songs, but they are ready to surprise their fans.
During the whole concert it was obvious that the band was having fun, they did not come just to show a professional performance, but they really enjoy playing for the people and enjoy the atmosphere of the concert. Obviously the band members are great musicians, but still most of the attention is dragged to one guy - the frontman and singer Steve Hogarth. This is simply a crazy person, his performance of the songs was incredibly emotional, but he also supported the good mood by many gags and jokes. He managed to integrate even his communication with the sound engineer in his show and also a security guy, who came during the concert and he was trying to avoid people taking pictures, became (inadvertently) a participant in Steve's joke. Some of the gags were also connected to the music itself for example during the intro of the song "King" he was (for maybe 20 seconds) standing stiff holding his pink (!!!) Gibson guitar in his raised hand... it looked like a meaningless nonsense, but then he started to sing the song which begins with the words "How long can you stand, tightening up...". During the song "Easter" (the last encore) he let the crowd sing the first verse and chorus and then he tested the ability of people to clap to the rhytm during the song's last part, which is written in odd (5/8) time signature.
However Steve Hogarth is not a clown, first of all he is still a singer. Probably the best singer I know. His voice range is great and his ability to jump with his voice up and down without a single wrong note and without sounding silly is really unique. And of course he uses his great abilities to support the emotional dimension of the songs.
I have consistently enjoyed the whole concert, but there is one song worth speacial mentioning. Marillion decided to include one of their longest songs in the setlist, it is called "Ocean Cloud", it takes 17 minutes and it is basically an ode to the power of sea, but at the same time to the power of one man, who took the challenge of sailing accross the ocean without anyone's help. The "ocean atmosphere" of the song is impressive.
Hard to say which of the Marillion concerts I've been to was better. Both of them have filled me with positive energy and both of them made me sure that next time when Marillion play somewhere nearby, I definitely don't want to miss them.
In case there are some people, who don't listen to this kind of music and they have managed to read until here, I have one tip for you: try Marillion. This is not a music with instrumental exhibitionism, overcomplicated compositions and avantgarde tirades. For those, who listen to normal poprock there are many easy to listen Marillion songs and maybe you will find beauty even in those more complicated. Just check these 2 MArillion hits:
You're Gone
Easter