Concert Review
Steve Hackett
Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Thursday December 3, 2015
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
After a lengthy absence innovative guitarist Steve Hackett finally made his way to town. Not a seat was to be had inside the historic Riviera Theatre Thursday evening as Hackett and his amazing band delivered the goods to a very dedicated and appreciative crowd.
For this run of dates Hackett’s band included drummer Gary O’Toole, Roger King on keys, Rob Townsend on sax, flute and percussion, bassist Roine Stolt and vocalist Nad Sylvan. Each of these guys are remarkable musicians and right with the first note of the night to the last they failed to disappoint.
The sold out show was divided into two sets. The first set was comprised of songs from Hackett’s solo career covering songs from his first solo outing Voyage of the Acolyte all through his latest effort Wolflight. The songs were very well received but it was the second set of music that most of the crowd came for. The second set was all Genesis. This was where Hackett really showed that he can play this stuff blindfolded. This set plucked standout tracks from Foxtrot, Nursery Cryme as well as the title cut from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.
Hackett mentioned how many people have requested the song “Cinema Show” over the years and how he’s been putting it off. “The hour has now come” Hackett said as he delved into the opus classic from Selling England By The Pound.
There are several good Genesis tribute bands out there pulling off the Gabriel-era material but it was refreshing to see an authentic member of the band itself from that era dazzle the crowd. Hackett is at the moment the only one on the touring circuit that plays it. I think I may have witnessed the longest and loudest ovation ever following the conclusion to the main set. Hackett himself seemed a bit overwhelmed by it. Well deserved I might add. It was a treat being able to see an amazing guitarist like Hackett still play songs that almost seem lost due to the fact there are no radio stations playing them. Hackett and his band did a great job in helping to keep the flame lit on those lost classics a little while longer.
Set 1 (Solo material set)
Spectral Mornings
Out Of the Body
Wolflight
Every Day
Love Song to a Vampire
The Wheel’s Turning
Loving Sea
Icarus Ascending
Star of Sirius
Ace of Wands
A Tower Struck Down
Shadow of the Hierophant
Set 2 (Genesis Set)
Get Em’ Out By Friday
Can-Utility and the Coastliners
After The Ordeal
The Cinema Show
Aisle Of Plenty
The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway
The Musical Box
Encore
Clocks- The Angel of Mons
Firth Of Fifth
