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Steve Hackett and his band put on a good show last night. The first time I have seen him since not long after he quit Genesis. The first half of the set was solo material, some of which I will be investigating. After the break it was all Genesis including Selling England by the Pound in its entirety with an improvised version of I know what I like in your wardrope and a track which did not make the album, Dejavu. Good to see the legacy of classica era Genesis on stage.

Saw Buckcherry last night who were let down by a poor sound. There is no excuse for that in this day and age. I think Josh Todd has a great voice, but all the power and emotion did not come through. Nothing wrong with the set list which included all of my favourites.

The evening was made by The Treatment who were supporting and on nearly as long as the headliners. They are a band I like and would have gone if they were headlining. They had a very good sound and came over a lot more professional. I think supporting Kiss in the US was of benefit.

Seven months without anyone worth seeing coming to Cardiff, except Alice Cooper last month when I was away, and now the gigs are coming up thick and fast. Would have seen Phil Campbel and the Bastard Sons on Saturday but for Steve Hackett.

Hugh Cornwell, Brudenell Club, Leeds.

First time I've seen him with a band, previously I've seen him playing solo. There were two sets: one half, Hughes post Stranglers stuff, including most of his latest album, Monster. the second was Stranglers' stuff minus keyboards. I actually found Golden Brown quite interesting without the keyboard part. The other instruments making up a bit more. It sounded quite jazzy, certainly the drum part was very jazzy (I did like the drummer - there were bits when they were playing "Irate Caterpillar" as an instrumental where he was doing Ginger Baker riffs.)

So, I started a little search for 'Golden Brown'.

Here's a Jazz Quartet version

[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUH_dKSivnk[/BBvideo]

and here's a classical quartet version

[BBvideo=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue1OMKOY8As[/BBvideo]

Somebody must have some others.

Saw Marillion last night. Have seen them a lot over the years and this was one of the best. It was different in respect of them being accompanied by a mini orchestra. Although the orchestra often got drowned out during the loudest parts, I think it worked on the whole and added to the experience. There was even an inprompto tendering of "Kashmir". The Fish era is now very much in the past, but it was a good set list and they were on stage for over two hours. A good evening.

Although I had not heard of them at the time I would have seen Ghost at Download three years ago as they would have been in a tent and it was pouring down. They cancelled so I did not get the chance. They have come a long way since and I think their albums are very good. Was not going to miss them at at a packed Cardiff Motorpoint Arena last night, many in Halloween costume. Ghost are very good live and the stage show was impresvsive with the costumes and pyrotechnics. Seeing them live left the impression that the ocult image is a bit tongue in cheek. The two support acts Tribulation and All them Witches were good and I will be checking them out.

Saw Steve Hillage last night, backed by Gong who were the support band. I made sure the setlist was all 70s before buying a ticket becaue I had read he had been delving into hip hop. It was a good evening with material from Fish Rising, L, Motivation Radio (my favourite) and Green. Gong delved into Camembert Electrique. Took me back to my teens when I last saw a hairier Steve Hillage.

CN211276 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2019 9:31 am .....I had read he had been delving into hip hop...

Yes but it’s more the UK/Euro styled techno, trance, ambient and downtempo rather than American hip-hop.

Fellow Gong member Miquette Giraudy and Hillage formed System7 around 30 years ago to develop their take on techno and trance. They also had/have another project “Mirror System” via which they explore ambient soundscapes. Their techno/Trance is superb.... in small doses!, and the Ambient stuff, via Mirror System is what I personally prefer out of the two styles they do. Mirror System’s rolling thunder bass underpinnings will certainly give your subs a workout and the dreamscape electronics and guitar is just the ticket for NVA Cubes; should sound huge on those.

I have the first System 7 CD and it's pretty good. Also featured is Mick MacNeil ex-Simple Minds.

Hillage produced the Simple Minds awesome 'Sons and Fascination / Sister Feelings Call' double album and at the same time recorded his own 'For to Next / And Not Or' synth and dance-based album.

His 'Rainbow Dome Musick' was a big influence to The Orb and Alex Patterson was also a regular collaborator with Hillage.

A lot more to Steve Hillage than I was aware. I seem to have lost touch with him since the 70s. A comment on Facebook about the gig I attended described him as the Jean Michel Jarre of the guitar.

Saw Airbourne last night. A good no nonsence band unashamedly from the same mold as AC/DC. The main man Joel O'Keeffe comes over as a cross between Bonn Scott and Angus Young. A word about the support Tyler bryant & The Shakedown who were very good.