Marillion’s Light At The End Of The Tunnel tour almost didn’t happen. Having a problem getting cancellation insurance due to COVID, the prog veterans turned to crowdfunding and, thankfully, fans – now called Light Savers – pitched in. The rest, as they say, is history – or it will be.
The evening in Cardiff began with a short set from duo Antimatter, whose tone and vibe was so relaxing I forgave them for using a backing track. Shame they played to such a small audience – though, by the time Marillion strolled on stage, St David’s Hall had filled up. The venue was half-seated, half-standing; the show felt like half pub gig, half musical theatre. There wasn’t a dull moment.
Marillion frontman Steve Hogarth, pint in hand, announced that he’d been drinking. He played the crowd, bantered with hecklers, digressed and stumbled over his own words. He strapped on guitars, then took them off again, and had the stagehands running back and forth like ballboys. My plus one seemed to think this was all part of the show – and it might have been, as Hogarth could switch in an instant from buffoonery to pitch-perfect singing, delivering lyrics with power and feeling. The rest of the band seemed unfazed: indeed, guitarist Steve Rothery wowed the audience with some stunning riffs.
The Cardiff show setlist included tracks from Marillion’s extensive discography, though only one from their latest album An Hour Before It’s Dark. Old staple King, a song inspired by Kurt Cobain’s suicide, saw Hogarth pay tribute to the Nirvana frontman by holding a guitar aloft.
After two hours of note-perfect sound and an impressive light show, the band left the stage, but we knew it wasn’t really the end. The best was left till last and Marillion’s two encores gave us the five-part epic The Leavers in its entirety, Made Again and Easter. By way of a closing statement, Hogarth said, “We’ve been having this weird… thing.” Yes, it was weird and interesting, and very entertaining. Drinking and joking aside, Hogarth and co put on a polished performance and proved that Marillion still have what it takes.
St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Wed 17 Nov
words LYNDA NASH photos JONATHAN HERRON
