Live review: Steve Hogarth (Marillion)
@ St Bride’s Church, Liverpool
Friday 14th December 2012
Liverpool Sound and Vision rating * * * *
In recent years there has come about a new tradition for fans of Marillion, one of the seminal British bands of the last 30 years, that come the start of the festive period, Steve Hogarth will arrive in Liverpool’s St Bride’s Church and thrill an audience with just a piano, some great stories and more importantly with some of the music that has marked him out as one of the finest singers of his generation.
For the fourth time in as many years, Steve Hogarth braved the December cold and sat inside the natural beauty of St. Bride’s Church and gave those fortunate enough to have tickets to the event a night of good music and inevitable passion from his performance.
Marillion’s back catalogue is vast but Steve Hogarth, as his right chose songs that mean more to him and even taking the odd request from the fans sat before him. Steve Hogarth opened the night with songs that included This Train is My Life and the much loved George Harrison composition Here Comes the Sun and the super I’m Only Sleeping from Revolver.
Steve Hogarth has come to Liverpool many times over the years and has performed at The Cavern and The University of Liverpool amongst many of the venues in the city but there is something rather special about his nights at St. Bride’s. Something about the stillness of the air and the reverence that his audience holds him in adds to the occasion that is tangible and serene like.
Mixing Marillion classics with personal favourites from every period is what makes Steve’s evenings so well attended and the demand for tickets far outstrips the capacity of the church. With the title track from the new highly rated Marillion album Sounds That Can’t Be Made, the hypnotic The Party and the stunning Beautiful being played alongside Abba’s The Day Before You Came, the wonderful Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen and a superb rendition of John Lennon’s Instant Karma, the night was as riveting and as enjoyable as always.
Steve Hogarth finished a sensational night out for all concerned with encores which included House, the stunning Fantastic Place and a passionate and fervent Three Minute Boy in which the strong feelings of the song’s lyrics were etched upon the singer’s face in a wonderful and enlightened manner.
A great night out for fans of Marillion and any music lover fortunate to be in the vicinity of St. Bride’s Church.
Ian D. Hall
© 2012 Ian D Hall – Liverpool Sound and Vision