Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. November 2005.

For the past 18 months Marillion have been on the road touring with their critically acclaimed album Marbles.

With another set of dates announced, cunningly called The Not Quite Christmas tour, they were in the Midlands to entertain a capacity crowd once again.

With a set combining songs from Marbles and an eclectic mix of tracks from the past 15 years, the audience were treated to a thrilling performance by frontman Steve Hogarth whose energetic efforts on stage would have made younger acts green with envy.

The set list included top ten hit You’re Gone, the emotionally charged Genie and the Sgt Pepper inspired Drilling Holes.

The enthusiastic crowd bayed for more so the band duly delivered with encores of Sunset Town and the rarely played and much missed Cathedral Wall.

Marillion will always have a following but surprisingly remain rocks best kept secret.

Ian D. Hall