Bathed in immaculate lighting and supported by a crisp, well-balanced sound mix, The Dome proved itself one of London’s most sympathetic venues for Progressive music, providing the perfect setting for a night that celebrated both craftsmanship and atmosphere. With the 20th anniversary of RPWL’s 2005 album 'World Through My Eyes', the evening promised and delivered a feast of melodic and conceptual Prog from two of the genre’s most accomplished acts.

Also Eden, veterans of the British Neo-Prog scene, opened with a confident and finely paced set that blended emotional depth with technical polish. Frontman Huw Lloyd-Jones immediately drew the audience in, bearing a passing resemblance to a latter-day Fish from Marillion, yet with a vocal tone reminiscent of Richard Page of Mr. Mister. His engaging stage presence lent warmth and humanity to the band’s richly textured sound.

Keyboardist Ian Hodson wove luminous layers around Simon Rogers’ melodic guitar lines, while bassist Graham Lane anchored the sound with a fluid, melodic touch that occasionally evoked Pino Palladino at his most lyrical. The interplay between the musicians, including Guy Monk on drums, felt instinctive and assured, giving each track emotional momentum. They closed with a stirring rendition of 'Between the Lines', its graceful build and anthemic refrain earning a warm reception from the crowd. By the end of their set, Also Eden had reminded everyone why they remain one of the UK’s most respected and emotionally intelligent Prog acts.

Headliners RPWL, visiting from Germany, took the stage to an enthusiastic welcome. Having famously started life as a Pink Floyd covers band, they still take cues from classics such as 'Comfortably Numb', yet have long since evolved a distinctive identity. Frontman Jürgen “Yogi” Lang is one of the most laid-back figures in Progressive Rock; his vocals and gesturing carry an almost conversational quality, drawing listeners in with calm assurance.

Much of the set drew as expected from 'World Through My Eyes', with Kalle Wallner’s fluid, expressive guitar tone adding power and contrast to Lang’s measured delivery. Wallner’s playing veered between U2’s The Edge, Dave Gilmour and Slash on 'November Rain', offering shimmering arpeggios, soaring melodic leads, and searing Rock intensity. Among the set’s highlights was 'Three Lights', inspired by the first thing Lang would see on the platform, the three lights of his midnight train arriving, with a synth solo reminiscent of Air. Across the set, the band’s sound hinted at elements of Shoegaze and Dream Pop, giving the performance a modern shimmer while retaining Classic Prog foundations.

'King of the World' followed as a showstopper, its soaring solo earning spontaneous cheers, although some disappointment lingered that 'Sea Nature' was omitted. Even so, the sound was immaculate, immersive yet intimate, polished yet human.

Review: Ivan De Mello

Photos: Bruce Biege