By: Kevin Bailey

Kevin Bailey — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:45:03 +0000

Good review Tim. Friday was very good, and towards the end of A few words from the dead, many in the audience held up flowers, which was a tremendous moment, and worked really well.
StillMarillion were raising funds for Help for Heroes, and a particularly relevant Forgotten Sons was a highlight for me, along with the guitar solos on Incubus and Chelsea Monday, as you say, from Steve Rothery, clearly enjoying playing these.
I saw Brave four times on the Brave tour, and once twice afterwards, and I have never seen it performed as well as on Saturday night.
In fact, having seen Marillion well over 100 times, well over 100 bands, and sadly well over 1000 gigs, I can honestly say that Saturday was as good as anything that I have ever seen, and the band did seem genuinely surprised at the reaction from the audience, despite the Montreal and PZ reactions, which were amazing by all accounts as well.
Gaza is one of my favourite Marillion tracks already, and I would disagree with you in as much as it is a humanitarian song, not a political song.
The atmosphere carried on from the end of Saturday night, and every song was treated like an encore, making the atmosphere superb, and the band reacted tot hat, and the audience in turn reacted to the band, leading to a superb evening.
I would also place Sunday in the category of leading gigs I have ever attended by anyone, and having had a little time to reflect I have never seen Marillon better than Saturday and Sunday, so would have to say that they are now better than they have ever been.
I felt that the set lists were chosen with care before the weekend, and the decision to play Brave was pure and total genius.
The staff at the Civic were friendly, helpful and added to the experience, and considering the pressure the band were under on Friday due to the DVD and (succesful) world record attempt, they did exceptionally well.
I have attended one convention somewhere at all of them, other than 2009, and this was by far the best ever.
I congratulate the band, Lucy, and everyone who made it happen.
I first saw Marillion over 30 years ago, and it is incredible that the best two gigs that I have ever seen them play, are the last two.
Stunning.
Also worth mentioning that Mark Kelly followed it up by running the London Marathon in under 4 hours.
He did it for the NSPCC, so please consider sponsoring him if you enjoyed the weekend.
Thanks for the review Tim, it reminded me that we enjoyed a great, great weekend.

Comments on: Marillion 2013 UK Convention

By: Kevin Bailey