Concert Review: Steve Hackett - Auckland - 17th June 2022

Presented By: DRW Entertainment & NicNaK Media

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL STEVE HACKETT GALLERY BY DAVID WATSON

Review By: Mark Derricutt

Artist: Steve Hackett

Date: Friday 17th June 2022

Venue: Auckland’s Great Town Hall

Sitting here penning thoughts on tonight's performance of Genesis Revisited by STEVE HACKETT, I'm already struck with the theme/title of the show. “Genesis Revisited”: A return to the beginning. Tonight will be my first major show in almost 3 since years since "that which should not be named”, and first show in a long time, so it feels, in part, like a rebirth of myself.

There's a large gap in my familiarity with early Genesis, and Hackett's solo work, my familiarity with the touring band pulls in members from a large swath of my favourite progressive rock artists: The Flower Kings, Agents of Mercy, The Tangent, and Stephen Wilson, with these in mind I know I'm in for a night of exquisite music – and what my soul needs right now is that sound of permeating through my entire being.

Band Lineup:

• Steve Hackett - Guitar & vocals
• Nad Sylvan - Vocals
• Roger King - Keyboards
• Rob Townsend - Sax, flute, percussion & keys & vocals
• Jonas Reingold - Bass guitar, twelve string & vocals
• Craig Blundell - Drums & vocals

OMG I hate the city: The traffic, the road works, the parking, but then the house lights come down, moody blue stage lights up. The show begins, a clock chimes, the band enters to mass applause, and everything else is now the furthest thing from my mind.

The show's less than a minute in, and already we're covered in both a wondrous visual and sonic glow, showing off the talents of the often unspoken, hidden crew and the majesty that is The Great Hall.

Kicking right into "Squonk" tonight's show has already deviated from previous shows on the tour, soon we're told we're being treated to a back-to-back performance of two classic Genesis albums: Seconds out (live), and Selling England By The Pound.

I'm now painfully aware of my limited familiarity with a lot of early Genesis, so I'm taking this as being blessed with awe and wonder at hearing a lot of this for the first time. I'm reminded of my opening thought of Genesis being a beginning – new things – reborn. This fits with my thinking.

Hearing “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway” was an early highlight of many this evening – if only we were hearing this album in its entirety! The show continues through “The Music” Box and the epic discovery that is “Suppers Ready” – if this was all we had this evening, I could have easily left a sated man.

Supper's Ready's 24+ minute movement shifts effortlessly through highs and lows, blending both complex and slower passages, taking the listener on an aural and emotion journey.

After a 20-minute intermission, as Act 2 kicks off with “Selling England” - I'm starting to warm up to Nad's vocals, something about them never quite sat well with me.

"Dancing With The Moonlight Out" kicks things into high gear with a heavier vibe than I expected – a thick backing layer mostly coming from Roger King's keyboards filling out the low end that was missing a certain punch earlier, all whist Rob Townsend's percussive, sample, and flutes fill ambient gaps like sand between rocks.

This may now sound cheesy – but “I know what I like" – and I like what I hear!

I'm lost in the music again, only being pulled out of my reverie by a sax solo from Rob Townsend, impeccable drum work from Craig Blundel, followed by Hacketts clean guitars and tone – masters at their craft.

I keep coming back to watching Jonas Reingold switching between bass and 12 string roles on a dual necks bass/guitar – the only downside of this is Jonas spent large portions of the event sitting to perform, which kept him just partially out of view.

Amusingly, halfway through "The Cinema Show" – as if Craig had been reading these notes, he's up and moving – that dual neck doesn't look the most comfortable instrumental to play, tho.

As the last song approaches – it's great to see the whole band on stage interacting more.

Fade to silence... Lights out... Encore time!

"Dance On A Volcano" leads into "Clocks - The Angel of Mons", culminating with "Los Endos", and ultimately closing the night with the infamous, respectful – bow.

Steve, Nad, Roger, Rob, Jonas, and Craig – it was a blessing to have you break this live music drought of mine.

Concerts reborn again.

May 19, 2022

Act 1:

1. Squonk
2. The Carpet Crawlers
3. Robbery, Assault, and Battery
4. Afterglow
5. The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
6. The Musical Box
7. Supper's Ready

Act 2

1. Dancing With The Moonlit Night
2. I Know What I Like (In Your Wardrobe)
3. Firth Of Fifth
4. More Fool Me
5. The Battle of Epping Forrest
6. After The Ordeal
7. The Cinema Show
8. Aisle Of Plenty

Closing

1. Dance On A Volcano
2. Clocks – The Angel of Mons / Craig Blundel Drum Solo
3. Los Endos

Steve Hackett 2022 NZ/ AUS Tour Promo

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