Marillion, entered in leisurely fashion, moving Progtastically into 'Gaza' followed by 'Seasons End', at the end of which Steve Hogarth (H), their enigmatic front man, joked about already being on stage for an hour and stating that they only play five songs in total (fortunately not the case). He also welcomed a fully indulged audience to the world of Prog Rock… his voice swings from vulnerable balladry to full out Rock God with supreme ease. Over 47 years into their musical adventures Marillion are still highly impressive live; this is performance on the grandest scale - the lighting and sound were fantastic which isn’t always the case in this grandest of old cinemas.

Steve Rothery’s excellent guitar work continues to impress; the sweetest of tones emanating from his various axes throughout the night; perfect interludes beautifully presented. The rest of the band are no less awesome; Mark Kelly provides some lovely keyboard runs and supplies all the necessary filler essential to these songs; the rhythm section of Pete Trewavas on bass and Ian Mosley on drums give the band one of the strongest backbones in the Classic Rock genre.

After the openers, beloved of photographers such as myself (three songs to get your shots including this one!) the band performed 'Ribbons and Lace', a strong atmospheric (apparently unfinished) song from their next album, bemoaning the ageing process but also promising continuation of fine music henceforth.

Two personal favourite moments came next via the magnificent 'Clutching At Straws' album; the opener 'Hotel Hobbies' and then the wonderful 'Sugar Mice' (H thanking Fish, whose last album with the band this was, for the lyrics) which was 75% sung by the audience in fine fashion to be fair. I will mention the audience at this stage - one of the most respectful, inclusive and involved I have witnessed which makes a more than pleasant change nowadays; these were fans in the truest sense of the word who also sat in silence through the support act's (Haunt The Woods) pleasant set.

The 'Care' opus, lengthy and pure, displays what masters of the Prog art they are - flowing and ethereal this is further great stuff delivered by a band bang on form. At this point the band were joined on stage by some members of the Italian choir, Flowing Chords. This added another level of lusciousness if any were needed.

The night rolled on sublimely with 'Easter', 'Wave' and 'The Release' obviously standouts to my ageing ears at least. Overall a night of 5 star music in a fine venue with the most appreciative of audiences - if only it was always this way.

Review and photos: Les Linyard

Setlist:

* Gaza

* Seasons End

* Ribbons and Lace

* Hotel Hobbies

* Sugar Mice (Dedicated to Fish, with thanks from h)

* Care (I) Maintenance Drugs

* Care (II) An Hour Before It's Dark

* Care (III) Every Cell

* Care (IV) Angels on Earth

* The Space... (with Flowing Chords)

* Enlightened (with Flowing Chords)

* The Crow and the Nightingale (with Flowing Chords)

* Easter (with Flowing Chords)

* Lucky Man (with Flowing Chords)

* Out of This World (with Flowing Chords)

* Living in F E A R (with Flowing Chords)

* Go! (with Flowing Chords)

* Wave (with Flowing Chords)

* Mad (with Flowing Chords)

* The Great Escape (with Flowing Chords)

* The Release

* Man of a Thousand Faces (with Flowing Chords)