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Saturday 27 November 2021.

Friday 26 November 2021. MARILLION live at Hammersmith Apollo. Marillion plays the first of two shows at this venue. The second night will be available as a pay to view live stream. The first night will be stalls seated and the second night will be stalls standing as to create a better crowd atmosphere for the pay to view live stream. Veteran prog rock band Marillion are playing a full UK tour to promote their new album. I saw Marillion with Fish on vocals 21 times as they were regulars at Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s. I have seen them with his replacement Steve Hogarth several times. I thought Marillion would be dead and buried when Fish left, but their fiercely loyal fans have kept them at Hammersmith Apollo level, while Fish plays much smaller venues. Marillion have sold over 15 million records - albums and singles combined. They had three top 10 hit singles with Fish. ------------------- As expected it is a 90 per cent male crowd over the age of 40. My fave band The Sex Pistols classic punk rock single "Anarchy In The UK" (I bought it on the first day of release) was released 45 years ago today, but here i am watching a prog rock band, not a punk band. MARILLION arrived on stage at 8.30pm and played for a nice long 2 hours 10 mins. Their bass guitarist and lead guitarist have the same style as when I saw them 40 years ago. In the 1980s their guitarist was touted as " the new David Gilmour". The band are all top notch musicians , and the overall sound is perfection throughout the evening, along with a great light show, and images projected on their rear stage curtain. Charismatic frontman Steve Hogarth was very entertaining with his rambling stage banter between songs. Marillion were one of the first ever bands to get their fans to pay for an album in advance via crowdfunding back in 2000 , and the fans have helped them out again on this tour. Thanks was given on stage for the so-called 'Lightsavers', fans who had contributed to a crowdfunding campaign to help the band out with expenses should anyone get covid-19 and shows have to be cancelled. One lucky chap even had his name called out (he was sitting near me in rear stalls) by Steve Hogarth. No Fish era songs are played these days, but it was a very enjoyable show. Full MARILLION setlist played tonight... Sounds That Can't Be Made King Fantastic Place Easter Bridge Living With the Big Lie No One Can Be Hard On Yourself (I) The Tear in the Big Picture Be Hard On Yourself (II) Lust for Luxury Be Hard On Yourself (III) You Can Learn You're Gone The Release Neverland Encore: Afraid of Sunlight Made Again Encore 2: The Leavers: I. Wake Up in Music The Leavers: II. The Remainers The Leavers: III. Vapour Trails in the Sky The Leavers: IV. The Jumble of Days The Leavers: V. One Tonight