Van Der Graaf Generator @ Bridgewater Hall
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/music/livereviews/s/181/181755_van_der_graaf_generator__bridgewater_hall.html#starkey">

VETERAN QUARTET: Van Der Graaf Generator

BRITISH progressive rock legends Van Der Graaf Generator were always something of a fearsome proposition, their dizzying musicality and serious subject matter streets ahead of many of their peers who, in their first incarnation, included Pink Floyd, Genesis and Yes.

And so it came as little surprise last night to see the band – originally formed while students in Manchester in 1967 – return to the fray after an absence of 27 years with a performance that could best be described as savagely uncompromised by the passing of time.

The Bridgewater Hall, so often less than ideal for bass-heavy rock shows, took on a cathedral-esque quality as the foursome tore into a heady cross-section of material spanning a career that has left them as one of rock’s most revered outsiders.

And no wonder. Virtuoso without noodling, touching on mathematical rock and free jazz, new material from 2005’s Present held its own up against classic tracks like first encore, Man-erg.

It was nothing short of a triumph – albeit a dense and complex one.

Attended the VdGG at Glasgow ABC on 12th Nov.   Amazed to see the long queue outside and a healthy 300+ (inside) - mostly of a certain age - and didnlt realise they commanded this sort of following (I assumed it was a minority thing)

VdGG seemed tight focused and powerful - sound was better than 30 odd years ago and lightshow apt and tasetful.    And the audience was, in usual Glasgow tradition, warm and lively and the band responded well.  Well over two hours but it flashed by in a trance.   Only one or two tracks I didn't recognise - off their new CD?   Majestic comes to mind.  The same mystic combination of hard rock, anthemic almost hymnal melodies, weird deep (occasionally embarrassing lyrics) and dramaticism.  Still no bass or prominent guitar so fascinating.

Perhaps only the addition of Grahame Smith could have improved it but quite excellent