| Doors: 7 pm | Show: 8 pm | Tickets: 40.00 Euro | SOLD OUT |

Almost with the regularity of a Swiss clock iconic Prog Rock master STEVEN WILSON tours across Europe. Always at the beginning of a new year, he searches of exceptional locations and presents not only a more than 2 hours lasting fantastic concert evening but also one of the highlights of the year. In 2018 STEVEN WILSON arrived Germany in March, so it is not our first show (as it was in 2016) but nonetheless a first big highlight.

After the wonderful Jahrhunderthalle in Bochum, he chose the likewise beautiful :: Colosseum Theater :: in Essen. It goes without saying that the show sold out in a twinkling of an eye. So fast that an additional show was booked. Sold out again, like the rest of the tour too. The new excursion of course is meant to support the brand new album To The Bone. Once again a masterpiece, highly acclaimed by fans and media alike. It’s a different album, much discussed, but so typical STEVEN WILSON. Let’s see, how his “Pop-songs” turn out live.

I arrived super early at the Colosseum Theater and though missed the support act. Just because I didn’t know that there would be one. I heard some singing in between but thought it would be a sound check for Wilson. But I wasn’t the only one unaware of :: DONNA ZED ::. I was told later that the hall was empty when that lady performed.

:: pics :: STEVEN WILSON ::

Well then. People were here to see :: STEVEN WILSON ::, and they came in early to enjoy an exalted ambience, to drink a glass of wine or beer and to purchase a gem at the merchandise. What significantly struck was the average age of the fans. Are there no Prog offspring? Bugger!

Lights went out and an off-stage voice told the audience to lean back and to watch a short movie. What is truth? Does it really exist? And how do we perceive? The movie was playing around with headwords and images (enemy, love, hate, family, science, security, war, religion, facts, news, friendship), in alternating combinations and thus alternating meaning in an increasing speed. Scaring sequences, to make you think. During the last moments of the film, the band came onto stage, frenetically welcomed by the audience, and kicked off with the double feature Nowhere Now and Pariah from the new album To The Bone. The wonderful Ninet Tayeb didn’t take part in the tour yet was present. As a huge hologram, with sequences taken from the video of Pariah, looking down on the band and the crowd. Awesome and intense experience. Technology that inspires ;)

STEVEN WILSON stood far away from the edge of the stage to leave space for the hologram but went every now and then to the edge, as far as his wire allowed. Um… why don’t they use wireless systems?
He was in high spirits, joked and chatted and invited the fans to let their emotions go, despite the seated hall, because it’s still a Rock concert ;) His fans took him up on that and presto, first fans stood and danced.
But, come on, seriously… all STEVEN WILSON shows since 2015 were seated. If he doesn’t like to play in seated halls, why the hell is he doing so? And don’t tell me, he didn’t know prior the tours or doesn’t have any influence on this decision.
However, after the first tracks were rather quiet, STEVEN WILSON proved that he still is able to rock out as hell with songs from Hand. Cannot. Erase., but also new ones such as People Who Eat Darkness, where grim guitars reign. There wasn’t any Pop-like in those songs ;)
No need to mention that the sound was excellent, clear and powerful, audio and visuals were perfectly synchronized to leave the best possible impact on the fans. Wilson is known to be a perfectionist, and he is accompanied by highly skilled and talented musicians. All his together makes his shows to a unique and exceptional experience.

The set was once again divided in two parts with a 20 minutes break in between. Hectically people ran in and out to not miss anything. The second part started epic with Arriving Somewhere But Not Here, another Porcupine Tree song, and went on with new and old tracks from his solo albums. Eight of eleven songs from To The Bone were played, garnished with classics. It was a great setlist.
Again, STEVEN WILSON told tales out of school, about his parents and his influences and made the crowd laugh. He also philosophized about Pop music as art. He is indeed entertaining ;) Talking about Pop music… he of course let the crowd dance to Permanating. Disco time, you know ;) And no, he did not betray his roots or the Prog scene in general! Why are Prog fans so narrow-minded? Be open minded and accept other influences! So! Needed to say this.

The musical spectrum STEVEN WILSON offered during his show was broad and thus much varied. Experimental, tricky Prog, epicness, gruff guitars and Pop. Pop means to celebrate life, right? All in one show. What comes next? Jazz?
After two hours, the regular set came to end but it was the end at all. STEVEN WILSON came back on stage, all alone, with his acoustic guitar and an amp, to play Even Less, before a fantastic show eventually ran out with the great classics Harmony Korine and The Raven That Refused To Sing.
I could tell much more about the show. Every minute needs to be documented. But it would be just second hand. Go and experience a STEVEN WILSON show yourself! It’s worth every cent and every minute spent!

Band: Steven Wilson (git/vox), Alex Hutchings (git), Adam Holzman (key), Nick Beggs (bass/vox), Craig Blundell (drums)

Set 1: Intro (Truth - short film), Nowhere Now, Pariah, Home Invasion, Regret #9, The Creator Has A Mastertape (Porcupine Tree song), Refuge, People Who Eat Darkness, Ancestral

Set 2: Arriving Somewhere But Not Here (Porcupine Tree song), Permanating, Song Of I, Lazarus (Porcupine Tree song), Detonation, The Same Asylum As Before, Heartattack In A Layby (Porcupine Tree song), Vermillioncore, Sleep Together (Porcupine Tree song) // Even Less (Porcupine Tree song - SW solo), Harmony Korine, The Raven That Refused To Sing

story & pics © Dajana & Dajana Winkel • Photography