Steve Hogarth and Pete Trewavas in Sheffield. Photograph by Ian D. Hall.

Originally published by L.S. Media. September 15th 2012.

It might not go down as the best gig in the world but for the 800 souls who packed themselves into the Corporation Club in Sheffield it was a night where the latest Marillion tour rolled into town. It was one that would have been on many calendars for months on end, carefully crossed off with diligent care until the last few days where the excitement would have got too much and the diligent x became a hurried scrawl.

The reason for this is simple, for the last thirty plus years the band in either incarnation have always appealed to a different set of emotions than almost any other act you care to mention.

From the off, Steve Rothery, Pete Trewavas, Ian Mosley, Mark Kelly and Steve Hogarth gave the audience the kind of night where it doesn’t just become another gig, it virtually becomes the family gathering that some find more comforting than being around their own relations.

The band finally has a new album after three years out on Monday, and it was from this they showcased some of the songs to their loyal fans and dipped their toes into the emotions of the crowd with the stunning Gaza. From there the band played on songs off various albums in their long and distinguished career including the ghostly and ethereal You’re Gone, the spine tingling Neverland from Marbles with its incredible driving guitar sound by Steve Rothery and the heart rendering Fantastic Place.

Other new songs getting an airing before the scrutiny of the album begins by their fans, was the title track to the new album Sounds That Can’t Be Made and Power. Both of these songs were well received by a crowd who are well versed in reserving judgement till they get to grips with the songs.

The one certainty that comes out of a Marillion gig is the tidal wave of emotion that is felt within the room, you may have had the most amazing day in the world and yet one note, one word or knowing look from any member of the band and the trigger is pulled. The utter grief an audience member can feel welling up inside as the momentary lapse of normal composure breaks the façade you bravely deal with day in day out comes crashing down and you are left picking up pieces of your life whilst sobbing into the stranger’s arms next to your side.

This pure emotion is what makes Marillion who they are, scorned by some, considered unfashionable by others and with many saying, “oh aren’t they that band who…?” To those who follow Marillion, whether in their sixties or the ever increasing numbers of teenagers that can be seen at their gigs, it doesn’t matter that some think they are not the happening thing. Marillion have never aimed to be that type of band, to these fans they are simply the best, they understand and they stand patiently and with almost more admiration than others will ever receive.

The band finished a very enjoyable set with perhaps chillingly and fittingly in this week that has seen the most appalling travesty of injustice finally rectified, the well observed A Few Words For The Dead and the crowd pleaser of Sugar Mice as part of the encores.

A gig to savour that was tremendously played by the band and more importantly enjoyed with devotion by the unabashed.

Ian D. Hall