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Tony R 
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 Topic: Porcupine Tree - Preston 20/04/07
Posted: April 20 2007 at 21:17 |
Porcupine Tree 20/04/07 Preston 53 Degrees
Another very good show by the band, this is the 4th time I've seen them and never seen a sub-standard performance.
The setlist was well thought out - all the older songs in the main set linking to the FOABP theme. Lightbulb Sun and Drown With Me in particular stood out as both fitting and beautifully played - Wes on lead, Steve on acoustic.
The new album was spectacular with the possible exception of Sentimental, which I dont think quite comes off as a concert piece and was beset with some sonic problems eminating somewhere amongst Richard Barbieri's bank of keyboards. Parts of Anesthetize still need work as a performance piece and I'm not sure Wes has nailed the Lifeson solo yet. At times though the piece was simply mesmerising with its change of pace and thunderous passages. The title track and Way Out Of Here were both triumphs - the former accompanied by the Lasse Hoile video that the band had to pull from its websites on Monday - one image of a youth holding a gun to his head eerily predicting the graphic images coming out of the USA last Monday.
Even Less, Mother &Child Divided and Halo comprised the inevitable encore and a rapturous crowd was sent home elated. I dont know if it was just me and my mate but there seemed some kind of tension amongst the band. SW, not the most communicative of front men, was even more taciturn than usual and he looked tired and drawn. There seemed less interplay and interaction between him and Wes but this didnt affect the performance.I might be way off but I thought it worth mentioning.
For those who like ratings I'd give this evening a solid 8 out of 10. 
It was the first time I had been to the Preston venue, which is part of the UCLAN Students Union.It claims to hold 1200 and it was certainly full. Acoustics were fine and quite a nice sized stage. Opening act Amplifier were an entertaining if one-dimentional diversion, like a psychedelic Zep meets RHCP.
Edited by Tony R - April 21 2007 at 12:16
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Snow Dog
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Posted: April 20 2007 at 21:34 |
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Nice work Tony!!!!
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Tony R
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Posted: April 21 2007 at 08:44 |
One or two observations:
A feature of Porcupine Tree's live performances is that there are sections where neither Wes or bassist Colin Edwin are required to play anything (Barbieri and Harrison too but they can hide). I dunno but it just seems odd to see people on stage, main members of the band, just stood there and in Colin's case just twiddling their thumbs looking uncomfortable. I think the band should address this. OK, if the piece of music doesnt call for bass or extra guitar then you cant just re-write the music...but I am sure the band could think something to get round this...
Any others have thoughts about this?
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Garion81
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Posted: April 21 2007 at 13:39 |
^Did they not have a backstage area they could go to when the were not playing? 
I have seen bands that have songs where all are not participating in and when that happens the non performer leaves the stage. A good example is when Kansas plays Dust in The Wind Phil Erhart leaves the stage.
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?"
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Tony R
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Posted: April 21 2007 at 13:41 |
 Garion81 wrote:
^A good example is when Kansas plays Dust in The Wind Phil Erhart leaves the stage.
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That's because he's got a weak stomach.... 
Sorry G-man! 
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Richardw
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Posted: April 21 2007 at 13:58 |
Great pics Tony  . I found the 'Way Out Of Here' video backdrop particularly haunting. The image of the girl on the railway tracks was a very thought provoking piece.
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Rivertree
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Posted: April 21 2007 at 15:32 |
must have been very exciting ... nice pictures 
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Tony R
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Posted: April 22 2007 at 07:45 |
More fanboy stuff...
Edited by Tony R - April 22 2007 at 07:45
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Garion81
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Posted: April 22 2007 at 14:02 |
Tony R wrote:
Garion81 wrote:
^A good example is when Kansas plays Dust in The Wind Phil Erhart leaves the stage.
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That's because he's got a weak stomach....
Sorry G-man! |
It's Ok these days so do I.
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"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?"
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Tony R
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Posted: April 22 2007 at 17:51 |
Garion81 wrote:
Tony R wrote:
Garion81 wrote:
^A good example is when Kansas plays Dust in The Wind Phil Erhart leaves the stage.
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That's because he's got a weak stomach....
Sorry G-man! |
It's Ok these days so do I.
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Yeah, but Dust in The Wind has always had that effect on me!
Hey nobody else been seeing PT yet, I expected loads of reviews.
The album has come in at #31 in the UK Album Charts BTW!
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Garion81
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Posted: April 22 2007 at 17:57 |
There is a version on Two for the Show I really like where they add an acoustic guitar solo and a piano solo but other than that I rarely listen unless it is live.
Because Family issues I am missing PT again this year. Same with Backfield earlier this year.  One of these times things will fall into place.
Thanks for the pics though Tony. 
Edited by Garion81 - April 22 2007 at 17:58
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Jim Garten
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Posted: April 23 2007 at 03:59 |
Tony R wrote:
I dont know if it was just me and my mate but there seemed some kind of tension amongst the band. SW, not the most communicative of front men, was even more taciturn than usual and he looked tired and drawn
Interesting you should say that, as the omly times we've seen them (admittedly a few years back, now), there always seemed to be a level of tension on stage; however, Chris Maitland notwithstanding, the lineup's been pretty stable for over 10 years now, so maybe they olike it that way...
"Who are you callin' taciturn & uncommunicative, y' northern git? I smiled at Jim & Vicky Garten didn't I? Admitted to liking your site, didn't I? " |
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Jon Lord 1941 - 2012
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Lazarus
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Posted: April 23 2007 at 10:38 |
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I was at the Glasgow concert last Wednesday. Like Tony I had seen them three times previously, all in much smaller venues in 97,00 and 01. What struck me was how much heavier they have become - as well as how much more popular! They simply could not have played some of the quieter pieces from earlier albums,as they would have spoiled the flow of the music on the night. I was waiting for 'Lazarus' the whole evening, but somehow knew it wasn't coming. It was interesting to hear Steve acknowledging that change of direction in the interview on this site. They have moved on, and in some respects moved away from the kind of music that first attrected me to them. That said, it was a great concert and FOABP is possibly their best album yet - great to see it in the UK album chart at 31 this week.
Edited by Lazarus - April 23 2007 at 10:51
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mystic fred
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Posted: April 23 2007 at 10:54 |
GREAT PICS TONY! 
i see you managed to get a good seat as usual! 
i'm seeing DP at Wembley on saturday -- hope i've picked a good seat!
Edited by mystic fred - April 23 2007 at 10:56
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Tony R
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Posted: April 23 2007 at 13:43 |
mystic fred wrote:
GREAT PICS TONY!
i see you managed to get a good seat as usual!
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The venues PT play tend to be "general admission" (ie standing). I was actually 3rd in the queue to get into the venue and first to reach the stage. I figured that SW would prefer to look at a couple of 40-something old geezers to build up the right amount of angst for Blank Planet... |
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Tony R
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Posted: May 13 2007 at 16:56 |
Anyone else got pictures of PT on the latest tour?
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asimplemistake
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Posted: May 13 2007 at 17:08 |
Tony R wrote:
Anyone else got pictures of PT on the latest tour? |
At the show I went to (Seattle, May 8th) they didn't allow cameras, and even took away a camera from a guy near me  . I decided it would be bad to pull out mine.
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Tony R
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Posted: May 13 2007 at 17:17 |
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Blacksword
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Posted: May 14 2007 at 07:34 |
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Great review Tony. I'm jusdt getting PT now, and look forward to seeing them live at some point.
I think musicians not needsd for lengthy sections in a song should leave the stage for the duration. Redundaant band members standing about, can distract the audience from the 'solo' spot, or whatever else is actually happening on the stage.
Edited by Blacksword - May 14 2007 at 07:34
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Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy!
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Tony R
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Posted: May 16 2007 at 18:08 |
I hope it isnt a band decision to ban cameras.....I might be responsible for that!
I took those pictures with my mobile phone though... 
Edited by Tony R - May 16 2007 at 18:09
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Porcupine Tree - Preston 20/04/07
