| Doors: 6.30 pm | Show: 8 pm | Tickets: 50 Euro + fees |

PORCUPINE TREE has always been too extraordinary to deep-six them forever. And, the band never officially split up. So, despite the success all single members might have had over the years, a continuation was never impossible, albeit not predictable. It was a recurring and burning desire of many fans to see them return, but the wait was indeed long. The band was on hold, on hiatus, hibernation, you name it, which, at the end, lasted for eleven years.
Wait… stop, with all the information meanwhile given, PORCUPINE TREE actually have never been absent. As we know now, the band already started the preparations for their new full-length in 2010 and has worked on it intermittently over the last decade. Then, corona came and musicians suddenly had lots of time to work/create/complete/finish things - like a new record.
The real sensation actually is the fact that PORCUPINE TREE managed to keep the recording a secret until they made an official statement at the end of last year, which came like a shock to many fans.
Closure/Continuation was eventually released on June 24 and - of course - reaped a huge wave of positive feedback. The album made it up on #1 in various countries, got full rating and was umpteen times album of the month. And I'm sure, at the end of the year we will meet Closure/Continuation again in many polls as (Prog) album of the year.

Of course, PORCUPINE TREE can't do such sensational "comeback" without a corresponding tour. And their first trip over the pond promised spectacular shows.
That the band booked the :: Rudolf Weber Arena :: in Oberhausen round here I found a bit exaggerated. But, their success proved them right. The arena was packed yet not sold out. The upper rank remained empty. The audience was motley, spanning from the die-hard metal head to the Abba fan at all ages and all styles. And quite a few attendees would see PORCUPINE TREE live for the first time.

:: pics :: PORCUPINE TREE ::

It was a warm and sunny Sunday evening when I hit the empty roads towards Oberhausen. Only the streets around the arena, a known chokepoint, were packed and required some patience. Next little downer came inside the arena, when we (the photographers) were told that we only could shot the band from the FOH, for two songs at the beginning of the second set. Well, at least I got 90 minutes to fully immerse in the show before work ;)
Pricing inside the arena has stately increased: 6.20 Euro for a beer (0.4l) for example. As for that the merch was affordable: 35 Euro for a tee, 55 Euro for a zipper. Standard pricing I'd say, have seen that worse already. Okay, then let's take a seat and wait for the things to come.
Meanwhile I was laughing about the slogans the new sponsor of the arena, a cleaning company, has placed everywhere. Banal (stupid) German word games, hardly to translate.
However, on the big screen behind the stage PORCUPINE TREE were asking to not film and photograph the show (“By request of the band this concert is a Phone Free Event.) and I was wondering, how many people would not follow their plea.

Exactly on 8 pm lights went out and :: PORCUPINE TREE :: took the stage to kick off an almost three hours set. The opening track, Blackest Eyes, was rather an obvious choice, a softer piece and fan classic, followed by a trio of brand new songs. Over the evening the new album Closure/Continuation was played in its entirety. Another focus was set on the anniversary records Fear Of A Blank Planet (15 years) and In Absentia (20 years).
With now eleventh records under their belt, PORCUPINE TREE could also do a hip one-week cruise with a 3 hrs. set every evening, without repeating any song ;)

The fans could experience a breathtaking show in sound, lights and visuals. As for that, Steven Wilson is too much a perfectionist to leave anything to chance. Okay, sound might be debatable, depending on where one stood, but lights and visuals were beyond doubt. Beside known videos from earlier releases I especially loved the space-like vid for the Pink Floyd-tinged and intense Chimera's Wreck, the last song before the 20 minutes break. This one was truly mesmerizing and beautiful.

Steven Wilson still plays barefoot. His look, his gestures, his moves - he is still the nerdy guy as we know him. Visually, Steven Wilson took center stage, with Richard Barbieri to his right, Gavin Harrison to his left and the live musicians Randy McStine and Nate Navarro flanking.
Wilson was also talkative and made the crowd laugh right in the beginning, when he apologized for the "delay": "It's been a long time that we played in Germany, 12 years, I apologize for the delay…" ;) he said. He joked and taunted here and there and was sorting out the crowd by their shirts. His banter was a bit predictable and standardized, but I guess, that’s something only journalists notice. His voice sounded a bit rougher and raspier as I had in mind. Maybe a cold, maybe the toll intensive touring takes, maybe his voice has just changed or aged. And he still changes his guitars at almost every song. I really would like to take a photo of his guitar touring rack stand ;)
Apropos… there were not that many mobiles up. Sure, fans have taken photos stealthily here and there but without flashes and without their arms up. Occasionally, securities though had to come into action as they patrolled attentively. What I also could see from my seat was the fact that there are still people smoking among the crowd.

Despite their decade long absence, PORCUPINE TREE proved that they were, are and will be one of the most exceptional Prog bands out there; a brilliant band of unique soundscapes, technical wizardry, songcraft, and immersive sounds. They just picked up where they left off and managed to bond with old and new fans easily. It’s really great to see PORCUPINE TREE back on stage. And, no matter where the band goes from here, it will be a continuation on all levels and surely not a closure.
Oh, by the way, I have seen PORCUPINE TREE several times sharing stage with Anathema. So, what about a reunion on this side Anathema? ;)

Band: Steven Wilson (vox, git), Richard Barbieri (keys, synths), Gavin Harrison (drums), Randy McStine (git, vox), Nate Navarro (bass)

Setlist: Even Less/Stupid Dream Intro, Blackest Eyes, Harridan, Of The New Day, Rats Return, Even Less, Drown With Me, Dignity, The Sound Of Muzak, Last Chance To Evacuate Planet Earth Before It Is Recycled, Chimera's Wreck // 20 min Pause - Turiya (Alice Coltrane song) // Fear Of A Blank Planet/Sentimental Intro, Fear Of A Blank Planet, Buying New Soul, Walk The Plank, Sentimental, Herd Culling, Anesthetize, Sleep Together // Collapse The Light Into Earth, Halo, Trains

Many thanks to Prime Entertainment for press accreditation :)

Story & Pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography