Steve Hackett on the Wirral. Photograph by Ian D. Hall

Originally published by L. S. Media. November 21st 2009.

Making his first appearance in Birkenhead in five years, Steve Hackett arrived at the Pacific Road Arts Centre riding high on the back of a critically acclaimed album Out of the Tunnel’s Mouth and the knowledge that the tour has been well received by fans old and new.

Steve was joined on stage by some of the finest talent playing today, Nick Beggs, fresh from his reunion tour with Kajagoogoo, played on bass like a giant traversing the boards, the first-rate Roger King on keyboards, the talented Amanda Layman on guitars, the impressive Rob Townsend on saxophones, penny whistle and everything else that blew and genial drummer and backing vocalist Gary O’Toole.

This sextet gave the crowd their monies worth as they opened up the night with the maniacal Mechanical Bride before heading into songs from the new album including the childlike but powerfully and emotionally charged Fire on the Moon and the stunning Emerald and Ash.

Steve’s personal back catalogue stretches back over thirty years and with any gig there are constraints on the performer’s time on stage but Steve managed to pack in so much material into the night that nobody was left disappointed. Other songs on show during the first part of the evening were the fabulous Ace of Wands from Steve’s first solo album Voyage of the Acolyte, The Steppes and Slogans both taken from 1980’s Defector album.

Steve and the band made time within the set to give the audience the opportunity to revel in past triumphs as they played some of the Genesis tracks that Steve had a major signature role in in his six years with the band. The tracks stood out as a huge nod to the past but with a new twist as Gary took on the role of Phil Collins and sang excellently from behind his drum kit the wonderful Firth of Fifth, the sublime Blood on the Rooftops and Fly on a Windshield from the epic 1974 album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway.

The packed out audience lapped up this part of the set in time honoured fashion by singing as loudly as possible and having a moment of thanks at the end from Steve as he praised the choir!

The evening was bought to a fantastic close with Steve and the band playing Still Waters and an almost fiery version of Los Endos which bought the house down. Nick Beggs especially was on fire during this song and gave the impression that he had been playing it for years.

There was just time for one encore but it was worth the wait as they came back on stage to perform the fan favourite Clocks.

An unforgettable night for all those who attended the show.

Ian D. Hall