THE WEB UK/OFFICIAL INFORMATION SERVICE

The Web UK Magazine Summer 2019: Volume 19, Issue 2

PO Box 252, , , HP18 0YS, UK Surprise, surprise... Credits

It’s probably been ‘a thing’ for ages, but we’ve only Photos: fairly recently become aware of reaction videos on Anne-Marie Forker Alan Jones YouTube, where someone watches a video by an Luke Harman Phil Slessor artist and, er, reacts to it. There are a few Marillion Francois Talbot Alison Toon ones available, quite a few choosing either The Andy Wright Invisible Man or Neverland. Most appear to be people genuinely hearing the music for the first time (and Design: often the band for the first time) and giving honest Francis Donlevy responses, but a few come across as rather insincere and one can’t help but suspect that they’re choosing Every effort has been made to accurately something they believe will get them the most views credit photographers. As ever Lucy Jordache, for their monetised channels. Stephanie Bradley and Mark Kennedy. Thanking you. And musing on this, I got to thinking that while it’s always lovely if someone is hearing and getting Marillion for the first time, one of the things you can know about Marillion fans is that they don’t fake their reactions and they’re not doing them for other people’s benefit; when a band is ‘uncool as f**k’ by its own admission on a t-shirt, it’s not something you’re going to say you like unless you actually mean it. So, when you’re reading this issue’s reviews of the Poland, UK and Canada weekends, you will know that if the reviewers are full of praise, then they mean it. When you read about h performing 80s classics with ’s all-star band, you can be confident that the shows really were that good. When you hear about Edison’s Children performing at the Apollo 11 Contents 50th Anniversary gig, you’ll know what it would have been like to have been there! Admin Corner Dayglo Jesus On The Dash: 04 Details of the Elsewhere we interview Georgina Wistow, author Volume 19 > Issue 2 > Summer 2019 Deluxe Edition. of ‘Do I Owe You Money; The Collected Memoirs Of ’ about the process of putting the book Web UK Membership is now administered Dziękują Za Wszystko: Our together, plus a detailed look at what’s going to be in online. Your account can be accessed by 06 view of the second Weekend the Afraid of Sunlight deluxe edition. going to: www.marillion.com/account in Poland.

We can’t wait to find out your reactions! Instructions for log in are available on that And Everyone Assembled page. Once logged in, you can manage 16 Here: The third Marillion The Web UK Elves all aspects of your Web UK Membership, Weekend hits Leicester. including resubscription, editing your billing Alan, Anne, Francis, Fraser, Lucy, information and delivery address. The Fleur-De-Lis Was Always Malcolm, Pete, Sheelagh and 32 Kind To Me: We cross the Stuart Address for Correspondence: Atlantic for the fourth Weekend. The Web UK PO Box 252 We Were Falling For Some Aylesbury 38 Time: An Englishman at large Buckinghamshire in Montréal. HP18 0YS UK Don’t Quote Me On That: 44 Georgina answers our questions Email: [email protected] about writing Ian’s memoirs.

The Internet: For the latest breaking news, Putting The h In Trevor Horn: tour dates, and release information, visit the 48 We take a look at h’s stint official Marillion website: www.marillion.com singing with Trevor Horn.

You can also visit the Web UK website which One Small Step For Man: contains all sorts of interesting stuff: 50 Edison’s Children take part in www.theweb-uk.com the Apollo 11 celebrations

02 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 03 Day-Glo Jesus on the dash Contents of the Deluxe Edition: Afraid Of Sunlight

DISK ONE: AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT DISC 5: BLU-RAY - AFRAID OF (2019 MICHAEL HUNTER RE-MIX) SUNLIGHT (2019 MICHAEL Deluxe Edition Gazpacho HUNTER RE-MIX) Cannibal Surf Babe 48/ 24 LPCM Stereo Remix Beautiful 48/ 24 DTS 5.1 Mix Afraid of Sunrise 48/ 24 LPCM 5.1 Mix Out of This World Gazpacho Afraid of Sunlight Cannibal Surf Babe Beyond You Beautiful King Afraid of Sunrise Out of This World DISC 2 : AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT Afraid of Sunlight ( ORIGINAL ‘95 MIX) Beyond You Gazpacho King Cannibal Surf Babe Beautiful AFRAID OF SUNLIGHT (JAMS & Afraid of Sunrise EARLY VERSIONS) Out of This World Ascending Synth Groove Afraid of Sunlight Velvet Lawn Beyond You Building Guitar King Band of Gold Gazpacho (Early Version) DISC 3: LIVE AT THE AHOY, Surfer Bass ROTTERDAM Cannibal Surf (Early Version) (29TH SEPTEMBER 1995) Beautiful (Early Version) Intro (Skater’s Waltz) KD Lang Incommunicado Out Of This World (Early Version) Afraid of Sunlight (Early Version) Gazpacho Beyond You (Early Version) Icon Crunchy Guitar Idea The re-release of the first seven The beautifully produced Deluxe Beautiful Deep Purple Vibe Edition package contains a Hotel Hobbies Watery Guitar Marillion continues on foreword by Rick Armstrong, White Russian King (Early Version) an essay on the by Easter Happy Accidents 1st November with 1995’s Philip Wilding, the writing and Mad recording of Afraid of Sunlight Opium Den DOCUMENTARY FILM Afraid Of Sunlight by James Levey and lots of Hard As Love (APPROX 45 MINUTES) photographs from the writing The Hollow Man Afraid of Sunlight and recording of the album. DISC 4: LIVE AT THE AHOY, PROMO FILM The special edition will be ROTTERDAM Beautiful available as a 5 disk CD/BluRay (29TH SEPTEMBER 1995) set with a 60 page booklet and a 1999 REMASTER BONUS TRACKS 5LP box with a 24 page booklet. Lavender Icon Afraid Of Sunlight Live Forever These sets are available to Cannibal Surf Babe Second Chance preorder from 2nd of September. Cover My Eyes Beyond You (Demo) Slainte Mhath Cannibal Surf Babe All preorders will receive a King Out Of This World signed print of the Day-Glo Jesus Splintering Heart Bass Frenzy album artwork. No One Can Mirages (Demo) The Great Escape Afraid of Sunlight (Acoustic Demo) PLEASE NOTE: The cut off point for Uninvited Guest the signed print is 1st November. Garden Party

04 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 05 MARILLION W KN > Review by Sue Beasey photos by Luke Harman, Alan Jones and Alison Toon

The secon weeknd in ApRil saw marilliOn Plska land in Poland for the secod of 2019's Weeknds. our Reviewer tells us wat sh (war)Saw! DziEkujA zA ÕDZ 12-14.04.19 wszystko

So we're orbiting the earth together...

3 days of Marillion music and more including the album in full

happiness is a marillion weekend

06 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 07 MARILLION all up here together LODZ 12-14 APRIL

The evening has been an emotional roller coaster, so many heart-breaking songs tonight

Night One: I’m not very familiar with The attention it deserves. The band The venue in Poland is an odd Bell In The Sea, but after I heard leave the stage. kind of place – attached to the it at Port Zélande, I’d looked Hilton Hotel, where the band, up the lyrics; what a dark and It’s a bit early for a break and crew and many of the audience soulful song – it’s fast becoming a the audience fidget, concerned. are staying. There were a few favourite and looking around, this I remember PZ and start looking minor complaints in 2017 about seems to be the general view. A around the venue for h. Yep, the security guys being a bit white frame appears on stage and there he is, leaning just inside over-zealous, but they are less there’s h with his gloves ‘playing’ the room, with Frenchie standing intimidating this year. The venue the screen. The audience wave guard. No need for this as no-one has two rooms, oblong and of gloved hands in response and then has spotted him in his beautiful similar size, one holds the merch the band rip into The Uninvited black and gold coat, just standing and the bars, the other the gig Guest and the whole venue is there. The others are on the stage itself. After grabbing our merch, rocking out – the evening has got beginning Splintering Heart. we find our place near the sound off to a fantastic start! desk, greet a few people and with Everyone is waiting for h to come only minutes to spare, Marillion “Good evening, Poland” grins on stage and start singing, as the are on stage and launching into h in the brief pause before we intro is longer than usual. King Of Sunset Town. This is hear the quiet start of Seasons moment he starts singing, the a great start to the evening and End. The audience are rapt and audience turns as one. Such a we’re off and rocking! this beautiful song gets the full great moment! > 08 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 09 h finishesSplintering Heart from the stage and they around him. After long applause, the audience is begin playing the perfect trilogy - This Town, The Rakes quiet as h sits at the keyboards for Fantastic Place. Progress and 100 Nights. Next up is When I Meet God, the audience is still, quiet We move through a few songs from Holidays in Eden and attentive. The Fruit Of The Wild Rose follows, – Dry Land, Cover My Eyes – all beautifully sung and before h tells the story of the strange woman who performed – the audience are quietly singing along wanted to meet with him to tell him about her with these well known, much loved ‘lighter’ songs. dreams. This is Genie – the song has a whole new meaning now! Next they begin songs from Brave and the audience is silent as h’s voice rings out, clear and true ‘heading The band really rock it to Accidental Man and out over the bridge, a million photo flashes from the Separated Out and then they are gone, while most of water down below’. I’m sighing now, just writing this; the audience make a dash for a cold drink! so beautiful. Next is Living with the Big Lie, Runaway, Hollow Man and finally Brave. Then they are back for Estonia. An emotional song for almost all of us – I’m sure I’m not the only one The audience has been quiet for a while now, struggling with tears. Next we have This Is The 21st listening intently, but then it’s Gazpacho, getting us Century, so beautiful. There is a moment of silence as moving again, followed by Cannibal Surf Babe and we it ends and then wild applause as we realise they are are all giggling away at the back film, showing the leaving again. The audience has band dancing and generally being silly, along with the music. For a moment it seems as if it’s over, but then Pete been quiet for a appears on stage with his bass (earlier h joked that We finish onKing – fabulous as always, although this instrument doubles as a coffee table, it’s so huge). they’ve changed the film. Great version of this song The audience welcome Pete with loud applause as while now listening and then we’re hitting the crescendo and the band he plays solo for a few minutes. Then the others are are turning one by one to look at Ian; waiting for the back as we hear the start of . It intently, but then it signal to stop. seems to me that a sigh ripples through the audience Is Gazpacho, getting us moving again

Night Two: as we wait for the saga to unfold… ‘you’re the only We start with the slow chords of Interior Lulu, such one’ we call and then they are off, moving through the a satisfying song as it goes from section to section, wonderful sections of this song. Mr Rothery’s solo is before ending up on Primrose Hill. Next up, Built in divine and he give his little nod of acknowledgment in Bastard Radar, straight on to Enlightened and One Fine response to the applause. We move on until h screams Day. h finally pauses to tell us how hard he finds it to the finale perfectly. And then that really is the end. sing this song now, as we are STILL waiting for change We stand looking at each other in amazement – the that never comes. perfect finish; impossible to follow.

I’ve been waiting impatiently for Ocean Cloud and Night Three: after a few words from h to introduce Don Allum, We begin with The Man from the Planet we’re off. Although the lighting is pared down in Marzipan, strange space creature on the Poland, Yenz still manages a fabulous display for this screen behind the band. It’s a quiet start to the song and the audience is silent, watching h struggle evening, as they follow this with No Such Thing through the storm while the waves rise and fall all and Dreamy Street. Next a more up-tempo This > 10 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 11 Train is My Life. My friends and I exchange horrified MARILLION glances as h fades the line ‘Christmas ’ and we all up here together wonder what will happen to the surprise in Leicester if that happens again! We’re slowing down again LODZ 12-14 APRIL with Essence and Wrapped Up In Time – there’s a lot of emotion in the audience for this song, and I can see someone in tears. Up we go again for Liquidity and Nothing Fills The Hole. Bit of a false start for Woke Up – they begin again and absolutely nail this song, h’s voice loud and true for the strong vocal ‘you woke me up’.

Trap the Spark is next – another very emotional song and we sing along trying to trap the feelings of these fabulous convention weekends. A State of Mind follows. I hadn’t noticed before how many changes of pace there are in Happiness Is The Road – the tempo is constantly altering. The song, Happiness Is The Road follows and as always the audience carry on singing at the end – not for too long tonight, h wants to keep us moving. Gorgeous Real Tears For Sale follows and then Invisible Ink. I can’t help thinking this is an odd choice from STCBM – a quiet little tune, in an evening with quite a few quieter songs.

Somewhere Else follows raw and emotional as always, before The Sky Above The Rain. The evening has been an emotional roller coaster, so many heart-breaking songs tonight. They head off for a short break whilst the audience clap and stamp.

After a few minutes they’re back with a lively rendition of Toxic. Lots of surprise amongst the Polish audience, but this is a great version of this song. We’re going to end on a high as the energy rises even further for Hooks in You. There’s been no early Marillion so far, and then suddenly we’re all singing along to Sláinte; the audience literally bouncing to this favourite.

Finally, it’s The Leavers – One Tonight. I can imagine this beautiful song being played for years, it’s so anthemic – there are stars in our eyes from a thousand goodbyes… The perfect end to a perfect three nights. ●

12 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 13 Although the lighting is pared down in Poland, Yenz still manages a fabulous display for this song

MARILLION all up here together LODZ 12-14 APRIL

14 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 15 > by Francis Donlevy > Photos by Anne-Marie Forker, Alan Jones, Phil Slessor and Alison Toon And everyone assemblede here

The De Montford Hall proved to be such a good venue for the UK Weekend in 2017 that the band chose to return for this years iteration. There were three gigs, a wedding and thankfully as far as we know, no funerals...

So… here we are once more. underway with their bluegrassy- One or two Marillion fans have come-folk musings and on-stage descended on Leicester for the banter. Pete had to stop one song UK Weekend. Having let the train as he had picked up the wrong bass. take the strain I arrived at my hotel It was a bit like Chas and Dave but at just after 1pm and discovered without Chas. Or Dave. Standout I couldn’t check in until 2pm. I song was their rip-roaring tribute plonked myself down in the bar to Django Rheinhart, cunningly and soon got chatting, as you do. I titled Django. Bidding us farewell finally got up to my room at 4:30! the stage was quickly cleared and soon the introduction video with The De Montford Hall was a mad countries of some of the attendees cab ride away (and my cabbie being shown on the big screen. truly was mad) but I arrived safely and ready for the Weekend to The lights went down, a cheer went begin. The evening got off to an up and the band appeared, rather inauspicious start as Vix Furminger fittingly opening with King Of Sunset leant across a desk to give Ms Town, the first track of . Jordache a hug and almost chopped Tonight is a celebration of the first one of Lucy’s fingers off, trapping it four albums of h’s tenure in the in a piece of errant display counter! band, or manacled as he referred Poor Vix was mortified but Lucy’s to it! And what a celebration it MARILLION digit survived intact. was, with choice cuts from the Hold the perfect moment aforementioned album plus It fell to and his Holidays In Eden, Brave and Afraid Leicester 26-29 April Whimsy to get proceedings Of Sunlight in addition to the rarely> 16 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 17 played The Bell In The Sea, complete as he proved what a powerful voice with a stunning solo from Rothery. he still has.

It’s immediate straight away how The night isn’t without incident, the films that accompany the songs however. During Seasons End h have come on. The F E A R films sits down at his keyboard at the On waves of silver really challenged the band’s film front of the stage which doesn’t makers and they have gone on work when he plays it. He gestures pushing that quality level up. It’s a frantically at a roadie off stage I dreamed of gold masterstroke using the front of the before realising that he should riser as video too, making it often have been at the keyboard on the seem like the band are part of the riser opposite Mark. Also the film w film. It’s hard to single out any at the start of Gazpacho is triggered particular piece but mention must but the band all depart the stage be made of the superb clip which and there’s no one to actually play accompanies Cannibal Surf Babe. the song. Whoopsie! These little It’s hilariously brilliant and hats off moments are funny and prove the to the band for taking part in the band are human and at least they making of it. didn’t blow the power like two years ago. The lighting has always been excellent with Yenz at the helm but When they do emerge back onto he excelled himself tonight with the stage they finish with a trio the lighting perfectly blending with from AOS - the aforementioned the music and films. Stand out Gazpacho and Cannibal Surf Babe, moments include the window and along with their paen to the double- white midi-gloves during Uninvited edged sword that is fame, King. As h Guest, a rip roaring This Town trilogy departs he says that this is the best and a huge chunk of Brave. During night and we should all go home. Brave itself there are little tea lights on the screen wreathing h’s head Fat chance! Fantastic Place, was the beginning of the end for me emotionally h

Day two starts bright and early in my eyes by then. The couple will join me in wishing the happy with a wedding to attend, namely read their own vows and were couple a long and happy marriage. the nuptials of Tony Byers and going for the world record for the Grace Bark. We make our way most number of Marillion lyrics So night two. What happened on to the Registry Office and as we in one set of vows. More tears of night two? Marillion bloody broke mill around outside the wedding emotion. The couple sat down to me, that’s what happened on night room I chat to friends old and sign the register and they played two. It was a surprisingly low key new. Tony, as befits a Scotsman, Lazarus by whilst start with Interior Lulu, Enlightened was resplendent in a kilt, while doing so… that was me done, and One Fine Day gliding serenely Grace looked stunning in her more wet eyes. past with only the jazzy tones gorgeous dress. The service was of Built-in Bastard Radar livening lovely and as it progressed I felt Unfortunately it was cold and things up. But then came the rather emotional. A piece about drizzly outside so we retired to epic Ocean Cloud where yet again friendship was read out from Hogarth’s for liquid refreshment. I band, lights and film collided in Winnie The Pooh and I had tears am sure all the Web UK members spectacular fashion. Steven, h and> 18 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 19 We have now progressed from dodgy sods to Ibuggers

Pete look like they are underwater to death means so much to so Strange Engine it’s the best version while Mark and Ian appear to be many of us fans. It never fails to ever. Until the next time! floating on the surface. This is a bring to mind those I have lost, real marmite song among fans but most importantly my Father, And Marillion didn’t disappoint, there was a standing ovation at the and tonight I just couldn’t help playing the best version of this end (not for the last time tonight). myself - tears came easily. Let’s song ever. Maybe it’s because the just say I was glad it was dark on song is semi-autobiographical that Fantastic Place, was the beginning the balcony but I know I wasn’t the h pours all his emotion into his of the end for me emotionally. only one! singing, especially at the song’s This song, and indeed the whole climax. And what can you say Marbles album, has such deep, Following that with the gorgeous about Mr Rothery and THAT solo? poignant meaning to me and the This Is The 21st Century kept the Simply stunning. The band depart band played it so beautifully, emotions churning. It’s a song full finally to yet another standing despite Steve forgetting where of despair at the modern world ovation, leaving me a total mess he was and fluffing part of the but there’s also a message of love of emotion. Adrenaline prevented Am I enough of a freak solo! After that it was all just too and hope. Life is what you make me from sleeping for several much and the run through to it and is for living as best you can. hours. Bastards! rousing set closer Separated Out I thought that would be that but to be worth paying to see? flashed by in a blur of singing the house lights didn’t come up Prising one eye open when my along and clapping furiously. and the thunderous applause alarm went off I wearily get up and That was a great end to the main went on and on. Pete reappeared stagger down for breakfast and a set, really getting the crowd and gave us a brief demonstration quiet day. Never did a piping hot t going and leaving us on a huge of his skill on the bass before the shower feel so good. I lay on my high. So when the band reappear rest of the band reappear. h has bed writing my thoughts on last it’s no surprise when h says we his cricket bat over his shoulder… night and pondering on how the built you up, now we are going we know what’s coming next. In band can top that performance. to bring you back down again. the bar after the show there was a Personally I love the Essence half And that they did admirably with group of us chatting and I said that of Happiness Is The Road. There are Estonia. This beautiful, fragile ode every time I see the band play This a couple of songs in the middle of

MARILLION Hold the perfect moment Leicester 26-29 April

20 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 21 The Hard Shoulder that are probably the Go! lights and for the best part my least favourite Marillion songs. of a year ideas for what to do this We shall see tonight what songs time were bounced around but get played. nothing really seemed like it would live up to previous glory. Lucy said After feeling a bit rough today I to forget it… until a month before eventually joined the queue and the weekend when it was decided ended up sitting up on the side of it would be nice to have the finger the balcony, stage left only four lights used again during This Train seats away from the corner with Is My Life, specifically the line a fantastic view across the stage. “Christmas lights…” so a small army We settled down and soon Lucy of people bought thousands of appeared to introduce the ‘An finger lights, packaged them up with Audience With Marillion’ section instructions and handed them out. of the evening. A combination Would it be as good as before? Silly of questions submitted by the question, of course it would. Once fans, daft games and general again a sea of arms went up right silliness, hilarity ensued. We heard on queue and it looked absolutely about Mark’s boat; a ‘sun lounger beautiful. h was so speechless he with sides’, how actually forgot the next two lines is the world’s first ‘generous’ of lyrics before catching up with Yorkshireman and discovered the himself and the band were visibly band are shit at charades with moved by the display of lights. We their own song titles. h had ‘tea’, have now progressed, in h’s own told us about the Hope Flowers words, from dodgy sods to buggers! charity and explained just what the fans meant to the band. There From my vantage point it was was musical chairs, without the harder to see the videos which music as Ian couldn’t hear and meant concentrating on the band. suggestions of a dunces cap to be We could clearly see Pete’s pedal worn by whichever band member tap dance, which is unbelievable, makes a mistake. the work he puts in is astonishing. The same goes for Rothers. We It was fantastic to see the band so also had a really clear view of Ian relaxed and the rapport they have and it was interesting watching with each other. I laughed so hard him too. No flailing of limbs a la I thought I was going to die! There Animal, his economy of movement were a few fans invited up on stage is masterful. I also didn’t realise for pictures with the band, including the work Mark puts in - he isn’t Graham Aird who supplied the band just ‘plonking keys’, he sometimes with their haunted Japanese toilet, presses buttons too! And can we Sophia Robinson and her Dad who bottle h’s energy please - the man had sent a sweet video message is a human dynamo. asking for h to wish her happy birthday and David Green who won It was wonderful to see and hear the raffle. All in all this was a brilliant the Essence songs played live. The idea and I hope it’s continued in run from Dreamy Street to Woke Up subsequent years, as long as Lucy is just exquisite and Happiness Is The can get her teeth sorted. Road itself, complete with a mass crowd sing-along, rounded that part Then came the important part of of the show off nicely. h dedicates the night - the music. Being album the magnificent Real Tears For Sale night we knew the focus of the set to Lucy and Whatever Is Wrong With It was fantastic would be Happiness Is The Road, an You to his wife. We also get the album that somewhat divides fans. creepy Invisible Ink, which is almost But if you don’t like it after tonight, a companion piece to A Collection, to see the band well frankly there’s something and Somewhere Else before the band wrong with you! Opening with finish with a heart rending The Sky The Man From Planet Marzipan, Above The Rain which brought more so relaxed complete with weird alien video, tears to my eyes. The song’s ending MARILLION the band progressed through the is so powerful it’s impossible not to Hold the perfect moment Essence half of the double set. be totally caught up in the emotion Leicester 26-29 April d Of course two years ago we had of it all. > 22 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 23 Yet again tonight the lighting bouncing joyously, while the band goosebumps, songs that made me is superb. Lasers send red and let loose, looking like they are weep, songs that made me glad green blazing through the hall, having as much fun as we are, h to be alive. These weekends are sparkling on the ceiling, beautiful covering every inch of the stage. like a beautiful comfort blanket. washes of colour bathe the stage. The weekend closes with the last Wrap yourself up in the warm Occasional bursts of dry ice add section of The Leavers, as h says glow and revel in the sensations... an iridescence to the hues. Yenz it’s about us! Confetti canons great music, great friends, outdid himself again! Special shoot gold and blue paper into the Steve ‘Are you happy’ Hogarth’s mention should also be made of air covering the floor, the sides numerous costume changes, Phil Brown, live sound engineer of the venue and the stage. The smiles, finger lights, hugs, Steven extraordinaire. From his pre-gig crowd downstairs vanish in a shiny ‘Generous’ Rothery’s guitar solos, announcements that meant there blizzard. Perfect! wonderful chats, laughs, tears, were few mobiles being waved gifts, cock ups, a wedding, three around to the crisp, clear sound Sitting back in my hotel room at honeymoons, adrenaline, cheers, every night, the man is a legend. 2am I was mentally rewinding the surprises, fun, aching muscles, last three days and nights. I am so lack of sleep and two thousand Called back to the stage by happy to have been in Leicester or so happy faces. That is what a deafening applause and chanting, to experience the 2019 Marillion Marillion Weekend is made of. they launch into a rocking Weekend. There were many version of Toxic. Brittany Spears memorable moments along the The only question left is… is there has never sounded so good. A way, songs that gave me a word the rhymes with Moog? riotous Hooks In You and Slàinte Same time, same place in two Mhath get the De Montford Hall years everyone? ● every time I see the band play This Strange Engine it’s the best version ever. Until the next time! z

I laughed so hard I thought I was going to dieW

24 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 25 Leicesterfin glorious technicolour

The Weekend finished musically with Marillion being joined on stage by Focus for a rousing dash through their classic Hocus Pocus. As you can see there were also a number of large bouncy inflatible balloons, which didn't get in the way at all!

My own layout for my review was a bit... monochrome, so over the following pages are some colour shots from our wonderful photographers, as well as a few other memories from Leicester - Francis

MARILLION Hold the perfect moment Leicester 26-29 April

26 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 27 28 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 29

The fleur-de-lis > Photos by Luke Harman, Francois Talbot and Andy Wright Was always kind to me...

For the fourth Weekend of 2019 the band returned to Canada. Once again the man behind the desk broke a knowing smile, and said ‘Hello sir, welcome back to Montréal’. Jean-François and Nathan tell the story... MARILLION FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE MontrEal 17-19 MAY > 32 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 33 This past May, I the most recent conventions. MARILLION found myself once Maybe it spoiled me from any FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE again in the beautiful surprises, but I wanted to be L’Olympia, a 94-year- prepared. And to be honest, it MontrEal 17-19 MAY old venue situated in allowed me to absorb and accept the heart of Montréal, Canada, for beforehand this intriguing set the 2019 Marillion Weekend. It was of songs, which included many my fourth convention since 2011, lesser-played cuts from the past the weather was nice, love was 30 years. Even though I would in the air and the music was, as have appreciated the big classics always, exquisite. like Neverland or The Space, I was delighted to hear songs like One For this occasion I brought along Fine Day, one of my favourites. one of my oldest friends, Patrick. He didn’t know the band or the The shows were a presentation, music, but he was brave enough over three nights, of material from (pun intended) to accompany me the Hogarth era, more or less in for this unique musical event. chronological order. Most of the Sunday evening was dedicated to Being the bass player in a semi- the first half of the Happiness Is professional rock band, Patrick The Road double album. was interested in the dynamic between the musicians, the Musical highlights of the weekend way the bass player played, and for me included the return of the the audience response to the MIDI gloves for Uninvited Guest, three different shows (and its and Brave sung so beautifully by relation with the band). He wasn’t h that Lucy wrote on Facebook on disappointed by his experience! that very night, “that was the best I have ever heard h sing Brave. L’Olympia is one of my favourite Ever.” Also, the band performed venues, a gorgeous concert space splendid versions of Ocean Cloud,

in which you always have a good Happiness is The Road, This Strange view of the stage, regardless of Engine and many more. The boys where you stand. Like previous were in fine form, and everyone weekends, I was glad to see the in attendance was in awe of h’s place filled with so many lovely voice, which seems to get better Freaks, all proud members of with age. Speaking of age, the the wonderful Marillion family crowd sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to from every corner the world him on the Friday evening (his (28 countries were represented birthday happened to be a couple according to Lucy). It felt like home. of days earlier).

Prior to the weekend, I had My friend Patrick was enthralled checked online the set lists from by the crowd’s reactions to every > 34 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 35 song, the long applause, the way minute or two of wrong notes and MARILLION everyone sang every lyric. And confusion. Ian was visited many FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE to think that none of those songs times by his tech while the band were hits on the radio! He was was playing The Man From Planet MontrEal 17-19 MAY impressed, to say the least. He Marzipan, and at the end of the was also fascinated by the sense last concert, in The Leavers (V: One of ‘fellowship’ among fans, the Tonight), h forgot to sing the “We way people engaged immediately come together” part. He realized in conversations with complete his mistake once the song was strangers who shared the same over, so he started singing it, and passion for the band. He found the boys played the song again. the people extremely friendly and But even when mistakes happen, well-behaved. Marillion usually deals with it with a good attitude and keeps the On that note, I must say that I performances light and fun, which strongly appreciated Marillion’s they did. policy against mobile phones (which was advertised on the As for the opening acts, District 97 Friday night) and I loved the way opened the Friday festivities with people respected the band’s their blend of prog, jazz and vocal wishes. I prowess by the practically never amazing Leslie saw a phone Hunt. The music during the is a little bit too whole weekend, I was glad to see the ‘technical’ for which was very my tastes, but refreshing to place filled with so I recognize the me. People talent these made memories many lovely Freaks, all guys have. As in their heads proud members of the for Jennifer instead of Rothery and shoddy pictures wonderful Marillion Riccardo and videos, Romano, they and I’m sure family offered us a everyone was beautiful set on glad they did. the Saturday Those mental evening, all in images and sounds last longer subtleties and nuances. Rothery’s than pixels on a computer… voice is angelic and Romano’s playing on the piano is inspired My friend and I didn’t mingle as and heartfelt. I truly enjoyed it. much with the other fans as we On the Sunday evening, the five could have, and I didn’t get to members of Marillion sat down take pictures with members of on stage for An Audience With the band after the performances Marillion, during which Lucy, (although I saw Pete and Rothers playing hostess, asked them up close surrounded by dozens questions from the fans. The of happy fans), but that doesn’t whole thing was relaxed and fun, matter. I saw smiles on beaming and amusing stories were told. faces all weekend long, I heard wonderful music played by five I was afraid to go to the convention musicians on top of their game, with someone who didn’t know the and I had a truly marvellous time band, but in the end the Marillion overall. My heart was filled with magic did its trick once again, and love for this band that I adore. the band gained a new fan in my friend Patrick. As for me, I basked True, there were a few technical in the music, the love and the hiccups here and there during pleasant atmosphere of that the shows. At some point during lovely weekend. And I filled my Cannibal Surf Babe, nobody on eyes, ears and heart with love, stage seemed to know what to until next time. ● play or sing! And they had to start over Separated Out after a Jean-François Tremblay > 36 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 37 We’d been falling for The band then tore some time... through some absolute classics from the first four h albums

Woke up early on the Friday banding team. Getting 2000 people Now it was time for the main Our Montréal morning and wandered through wrist-banded, high-fived and attraction and I took up my usual weekend begins on the area around the venue, generally hyped for the weekend is position Rothers-side, surrounded the evening of 16th completely shocked at the people harder work than it looks. by friends. I knew from the of May, having flown who were already queuing by moment Steve h sang “watch a into Montréal earlier 11am (apparently the queue Thanks to the aforementioned big wheel...” while throwing his that day, with a trip to the now started at 7am!) but kudos to wrist-banding, I couldn’t see arms and himself around we legendary Brutopia meet-up. It was them for having the patience to support band, District 97, but were in for a great weekend. The good to meet friends old and new: do it. The area reminded me a could hear them from the lobby crowd responded with a deafening people who I’d only ever known as lot of Soho in and I felt area and it sounded like fairly roar at the end of the track that thumbnails on Facebook. This only particularly at home as it was all well played prog-tinged rock. I never seemed to end until h sat heightened my expectations, as decked out for Pride month. couldn’t pay close attention but at the piano and started playing MARILLION the one thing previous Montréal speaking to friends afterwards a section of Montréal. The rest FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE attendees had to say was that Fast forward to 6pm. We wandered they seemed to have had sound of the band joined in once h had Montréal was a special place with a back towards the venue and ended issues in the room which is a real sung “Hello Sir, welcome back to MontrEal 17-19 MAY special vibe. up being roped into Lucy’s wrist- shame for them. Montréal.” The noise began again> 38 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 39 The band were clearly taken aback at the reaction they were receiving

and wouldn’t stop until we had Montréal Starbucks mug for my the night was nigh-on perfect. It gigs and how the band could Up In Time and the run of songs to be told to be quiet. The band partner followed by Canadian was possibly the best Marillion gig possibly try to match that with a from Toxic, an unexpected Britney then tore through classics from McDonalds (highly recommended!) I’ve ever seen. Looking back for Happiness-heavy set which seemed Spears cover, to All One Tonight had the first four h albums, particular before a steady build up to the gig. this review at the setlist, it really to be a Marmite album to those I the crowd baying for more and was highlights being the Brave tracks Saturday nights at the previous is impossible to pick a highlight spoke to. The band opening with the perfect way to top off what which were absolutely stunning weekends had probably been my as every song received a reaction Marzipan was an interesting choice was a pretty perfect weekend. with h’s voice dripping in emotion. favourite so tonight was the one usually reserved for the fan as it’s not the most ‘up’ of starts The night ended at 4am in a 24/7 I was most looking forward to, favourites. The band were clearly but it worked well especially when We left Montréal astonished at poutine restaurant with what I especially considering the number taken aback at the reaction they combined with the visuals. just how good the convention was can only describe as the ultimate of tracks never or rarely played in were receiving. and how it had lived up to and comfort food: chips, gravy and North America before. The band rattled through the first beyond our wildest expectations smoked meats! Sunday also started slowly with half of Essence playing each song but sad it was over. (We decided From the first note ofInterior Lulu a slow wander back toward the well but the crowd really came 3 songs into Friday night we’d be Saturday morning started slowly to the very last note of This Strange shops. We were still trying to alive for Woke Up which seemed coming back.) Oh well… Portugal after the excesses of the night Engine, I’m not sure I breathed, the process what we’d seen the night to get one of the best reactions in 10 days :) ● before with some souvenir band were on fire, the crowd was before, arguing about where it fell of the weekend. Other highlights shopping and a hunt for a on another level vibe-wise and on the overall ranking of Marillion included an emotive Wrapped Nathan Page

MARILLION FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE MontrEal 17-19 MAY > 40 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 41 the crowd responded with a deafening roar at the end of the track

MARILLION FEEL THE MAGIC EVERYWHERE MontrEal 17-19 MAY

42 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 43 Don’t quote > Photo Alan Jones me on that!

> questions by Anne Bond

What do you do for a living with a waitress on our family Facebook if they would have liked and have you done much holiday to Exmouth! After that, to hear more – the response was writing before? they somewhat fell out of favour. an overwhelming ‘yes’. I had a chat I run my own Leadership and In 1991 a guy in the student union about it with Ian, he was up for it, Transformation business. I’ve spent asked me back to his room because so we decided to kick things off and the last twenty years studying he had an album he wanted to play see how it went. classical depth psychology and me. Against all odds, it wasn’t in neuroscience, and I use this to help fact a line, and he played Seasons How easy was it to get the stories leaders and businesses access their End to me. It was love at first hear, and information you needed full potential. I thought had the from Ian? Roles are reversed for Georgina Wistow as most heart-wrecking voice on the Incredibly easy, there are just so I originally did a media and business planet, I still do. many of them and they are all so we break out the thumb screws and ask her degree and did various work for brilliantly hilarious. Ian told me local papers and magazines; I even How long had you been thinking from the beginning that I could ask about writing her book Do I Owe You Money? did a bit of TV work. I’d intended to about the idea of doing a book of him anything, I think the fact that become a journalist and my first Ian’s memoirs? we are friends and trusted one - The Collected Memoirs of Ian Mosley and job out of university was writing In 2015 Lucy and I were on holiday another was a huge contributing captions, but since then my writing in Crete and she told me about Ian factor. Ian is one of the best people how easy, or otherwise, it was prising those has mostly been for pleasure or knocking on Buddy Rich’s dressing in the universe and I would never when creating leadership courses. room door when he was a kid. have written anything to harm him priceless memories out of him... The idea of the book was hatched or his loved ones, so he felt safe How long have you been a fan of right there on our sun loungers, talking to me about his life. the band and how did you get into but when we got back my husband them in the first place? reality checked me by asking if I was Did you approach collecting the My middle brother St John was a seriously considering writing a book memories in a chronological way fan in the Fish era, until Kayleigh with my best friend’s husband? or was it more haphazard? came along and his girlfriend spent I had a plan that we would walk the summer torturing him with In late 2016 Lucy asked me to through a timeline that I had the line ‘I’m too scared to pick up interview Ian for the Web UK created - his parents, his first ten the phone’, after a transgression magazine and then asked people on years, his school days, his first jobs,> 44 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 45 etc. As it turned out, I’d start us people who Ian only remembered people in a way that you wouldn’t somewhere, Ian would dive about the first names of. Sometimes I’d necessarily realise. He tells stories around the last sixty years telling be researching somebody over that bring the people and events to me whatever came to mind, and a period of three or four months life for you and is rarely unfair or then in the next interview I’d try only for Ian to ring me suddenly mean about anyone. Dinners and and go back and fill in the gaps. and have remembered all of their holidays are always punctuated by last names! A lot of that stuff made his stories, but they are as likely to I think he totally Piecing it together afterwards into it into the final edit of the book, be about a neighbour or the John something vaguely chronological because it is just so Ian! Lewis delivery driver, as they are underestimates how was challenging, but I think the to be about his time in the fact that it was so stream of music industry. No matter consciousness, allowed for the what the subject, they are warm, funny and stories to naturally emerge, always laugh out loud funny so I didn’t get too bent about and just naturally flow into the fascinating he is following a strict thread. conversation.

My plan had always been for Were there any stories he people to experience Ian as I told you that he didn’t want Murder on the merch-floor experience him, funny, loving, included in the book? kind and at times, surprising. No. Although there were some I knew that the reportage stories I decided it would be style of the book was a risk, better to not have in there! > Photo Alan Jones as people might not enjoy the odd real time diversions, but What’s your personal Ian and I never set out to write favourite story? a polished biography, we set The stories from when he was out to capture his stories in a milkman had me howling the way he tells them. with laughter – I had no idea! Lucy and my husband Alan How long did the whole were trying to watch a rough process take? cut of one of the new DVD’s in It took two years. There were the room next-door and kept conventions and tours for having to turn it up to drown Ian, and I was spending a lot me out! of time out of the country for work, so we grabbed time Do you think there are more when we could, and I would interesting anecdotes that transcribe big four and five Ian has not shared yet? Don’t I know you from somewhere? hour conversations whilst on Definitely. Even after the book various planes and trains. had gone to print, he was still calling me with things he’d Did you have to do much Ian told me from the beginning forgotten to tell me. In fact, I wanted to know and then I had research about people and we were just in Cyprus for a choices about how I represented places mentioned in the that I could ask him anything week on holiday and I heard that. I’d love to write more books book and was it easy to a whole load of new stories - with the band, but the timing and check the accuracy of he’s a bottomless pit. chemistry has to be right and that’s Ian’s memories? more important. As I think I mention in the book, I Do you think he realised himself Are there any other members am always vastly entertained by how interesting his memories of the band who you think could If you could write a similar book Ian’s inability to remember where would be for other people to share their memories in a on any person living or dead, who he has put his coffee down, or read? Is he the sort of person who similar way? would it be? what Marillion songs are on which purposely starts telling people an At the risk of making them even Oh man, what a question. The list is album, so I was shocked by the anecdote because he thinks they more suspicious of me – a couple very long and full of all the obvious encyclopaedic knowledge he has will find it entertaining or do they of them have already checked me people. However, probably bizarrely of the music industry. I double tend to slip out as an aside? for recording devices and started I’m going to go for Victoria Beckham. checked absolutely everything, No, I think he totally underestimates sentences with ‘off the record’ – She’s quite hard to like and yet but there were only two instances how warm, funny and fascinating probably all of them have an arsenal I always get a sense that she is where my background checks he is. We were both in our own of fun stories and interesting secretly taking the piss and having a unearthed something Ian didn’t personal hell before the book personal histories they could share. grand old time. ● already know. came out; him wondering if it The challenge for anyone doing this was interesting enough and is to keep it respectful of everyone Do I Owe You Money? - The Collected The more challenging aspects me wondering if it was written involved and work with someone Memoirs of Ian Mosley is available Ian made me buy this copy you know! were the lesser known players, or well enough? Ian is interested in you trust. Ian told me whatever now from the Racket store now.

46 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 47 With very little planning following clapping and feeling ridiculously After another few songs h is the offer of a pair of tickets from like proud parents as he leaves announced again for Blue Monday. I a friend, we find ourselves on the the stage. don’t know this song very well, but terrace at the Royal Festival Hall the intro seems to go on forever. waiting to go and see Trevor Horn The beginning of I’m Not In Love Is h actually coming back on? Just and guests. We’re looking forward strikes up and I’m waiting for h, as as my friends and I start to give to hearing Mr Horn’s re-working I know he sung it in Glasgow, but each other worried glances, he Putting the h of all these 80s songs but more instead Matt Cardle comes on to appears. Again, this suits h’s voice importantly, we’re here to see sing. I’m immediately concerned; is very well and the audience are h; in particular I want to see him he ill, has something gone wrong, clapping along. He turns around perform Ashes to Ashes, so the but no, before long he’s back for to reveal that he’s wearing his excitement is building. Everybody Wants To Rule The World. ‘Accidental Man’ jacket and there’s This works well for h with it’s lovely a scatter of Marillion fan applause in Trevor horn Before long we’re inside and Matt lilting melody – not a challenge for and recognition. It doesn’t feel Cardle is giving a lively rendition his voice at all and the audience as if there are a huge number of of Frankie’s Two Tribes. Can’t fault is tapping feet and dancing in Marillion fans there, but it doesn’t > by Sue Beasey his performance, which is very seats. During the musical part in matter, because the audience enjoyable, but when is h coming on? the middle h wanders over to say seem to love him and he’s receiving something to one of the girl singers huge applause after each song. We Four songs in and Trevor is and has to run back to catch his know this is the final song so we’re announcing Steve from Marillion cue (I can’t help wondering if he’s on our feet as h leaves the stage and waiting for him to come on to gone to take a closer look at the smiling and laughing. It has been the right. h appears from the left amazing sparkly suit one of the an exceptional night overall with in typical h style and we’re off and guys is wearing it and mentally an exceptional performance from running (we don’t realise yet, but measuring it up for himself)! I Steve Hogarth. ● all evening performers come on from the wrong side!). h begins by telling a short story about Trevor playing bass for him at a solo gig in Paris and how this favour has been called in quite a few times, and there he is, my culminating in these performances. SET LIST h starts very low down in his range Set One: Two Tribes (with Matt for Different For Girls “what the hell favourite singer, Cardle) / Video Killed The Radio is wrong with you tonight”... It’s Star (Trevor Horn Singing) / Cry (with much lower than I’m used to, but it singing my very first Roberto Angrisani) / Rubber Bullets suits his voice and his performance (with Lol Creme) / It’s Different For is punctuated well with the sharp, Girls (with Steve Hogarth) / Ashes To hard conversational section and hero’s song Ashes (with Steve Hogarth) / All The softer pitched chorus. Things She Said (with Izzy Chase and Kate Holmes) / Slave To The Rhythm Next we’re being treated to Ashes (with Matt Cardle and Izzy Chase) / To Ashes. h’s voice breaks for a The Power Of Love (with Matt Cardle) moment as he comes in on the am impressed that he’s treating / Living In The Plastic Age (Trevor Horn Singing) / I’m Not In Love (with very first difficult high note “Do this huge stage, which is in effect Matt Cardle) / Everybody Wants To you remember a guy that’s been, someone else’s stage, exactly as if Rule the World (with Steve Hogarth) in such an early song”. Recovery it is his own! He seems completely is instant as he drops to the at home and relaxed. Set Two: Owner Of A Lonely Heart lower register and there he is, my (Trevor Horn Singing) / Brothers favourite singer, singing my very There’s a short break and then a in Arms (with Danny Cummings) / first hero’s song. Not just singing few more songs before the other Rhythm Of My Heart (with Roberto it, but doing so magnificently – all song I’m waiting for begins. h is Angrisani) / Dancing In The Dark In July Trevor Horn played a series of concerts in of his usual mannerisms are here, back in his long, gold brocade tunic (with Kate Holmes) / Since You Been the little bent over sideways shuffle as Kiss From A Rose begins. This Gone (with Russ Ballard) / God the UK to support his Reimagines The Eighties across the space available. I have a is one of my favourite songs by Gave Rock ‘n’ Roll To You (with Russ Ballard) / Girls On Film (with Izzy lump in my throat just writing this anyone and h sings it beautifully. Chase and Kate Holmes) / Kiss From album. Trevor invited h out on the road with and on the night I felt I could hardly His voice rings out and here’s an A Rose (with Steve Hogarth) / Blue breath as he moves through this opportunity to really show his Monday (with Steve Hogarth) / Relax him as one of the guest singers... great song. His voice holds true power. Trevor commented that h (with Matt Cardle) on the second high note “time and had to be persuaded to sing this again I tell myself, I’ll stay clean song – I’ve no idea why, he does Encore: Money For Nothing (with tonight”. Tears are running down a fabulous version, something I’d Danny Cummings) my face and we’re cheering and love to hear him sing again.

48 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 49 Alan Parsons took part in one of a series of concerts as part of the celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon. He asked Edison’s Children

> by Rita Kay Drew to be his Special Guests, which is fitting, seeing as Neil Armstrong’s son Rick is a member of the band. Rita gives > Band photos by Wendy Farrell us an insight into what’s involved and Pete is currently paying for her therapist!

“Hey, Rita, would you mind..?” some old friends and official new band members, and were What do you do when one of putting the finishing touches on your musical heroes asks you then releasing material that had that question? Of course, you been written and mostly recorded say yes without hesitation. It’s several years ago. Pete was back only later that on bass, guitar, and doing even you ask yourself more vocals. Eric was doing some what the hell you guitar, bass, and vocals. Henry just committed Rogers was back on drums for yourself to. the majority of the album. Lisa Wetton, John Wetton’s widow That is where I who had previously played live find myself now. with the band, was drumming I am reflecting on the rest. Rounding out the back to the day recording was Rick Armstrong, in 2011 when Eric Neil Armstrong’s son, who had Blackwood told me previously played live with the that he and Pete band, on both bass and guitar. Trewavas were preparing the first As if that wasn’t enough, the Edison’s Children band had been asked to join Alan album, In the Last Parsons as part of ‘Celebrating Waking Moments. Apollo’ on Florida’s Space Coast. This would be a series of events, Not long there- including a free concert in Cocoa after, he and Pete Beach, honouring the 50th would ask me to Anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon join the band’s landing. Pete, Eric, Lisa and Rick management would be hitting the stage on team. I remained working with the Saturday, July 13 for their first gig band for the next few years. together since Brutopia during the 2013 Marillion Weekend in The band went dark for a few Montréal. They would be joined years while Eric suffered through onstage by Marillion fan favorite, some devastating medical and and his longtime legal issues. Light began to shine collaborator, Mark Prator. The through that darkness in late performance would be preceded 2018. The band were getting by several days of rehearsals back together, with the help of in Florida. > 50 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 51 “Hey, Rita, would you mind..?” We arrive at the Castle where for transport to rehearsal. There’s that they can hear each other but Day 6: Up at 7am for hotel pickups we load gear, merch, luggage just time to start pre-order Sven and I can only hear drums, and studio drop offs. A wonky So, here I am, with the band once and people. download code emails. one guitar and occasional singing. pedal means another trip to the again. As I type this, we have Rehearsal ends at 6pm and we Guitar Center. The new CDs arrive recently finished the pre-order We are on the road only two hours Day 4: Up at 7am and after a head off for dinner after which I and rehearsal grinds to a halt so I hear my name coming campaign for the new album, behind schedule. Smooth sailing shower I continue with e-mails. send out more download codes. everyone can check them out. The Disturbance Fields. The album until BANG! The van is sideswiped We meet with some of the band to The artwork looks far better than has been mixed, mastered, and and the passenger side damaged. discuss game plan for the day and Day 5: Up at 7am but not we thought it would. The colours out of the speakers - manufactured. The album, along Luckily all the gear is fine. People I agree to manage the finances everyone is ready so I take who are vibrant, photos and text with new t-shirts and hoodies are shaken but otherwise ok for the event. I have to pick up we have to studio. I am then crystal clear. Photos of everyone It’s Eric dedicating my are once again emblazoned too. Having called the van rental one band member and gear at back and forth between the clutching the new CDs are with Wendy Darling’s haunting company and the insurance another hotel and we head to two. Need guitar strings. Need a taken and rehearsal eventually favorite song Haunted artwork. Vinyl is being lacquered company to give a police report meet the rest of band and crew at stool. Need special tape for cord resumes. I message Stephanie, and will be at the manufacturer we get back on the road, just the the rehearsal studio, finishing the labeling. Need special Sharpies. who happens to be vacationing in Memories soon. We hope to begin shipping three hours behind schedule. I load in during a heavy rainstorm. Need batteries. Need coffee. Florida with her husband and she in September. By the time you find new hotel for the night and During set up we discover a Need heavy cream. Need more agrees to help on the day. All the read this, you should have all your we check in at 1am. missing stand, a malfunctioning batteries. Need a lie down. May pre-order campaign merch that Edison’s Children goodies in your hot little hands.

This should be a review of the week’s event and the show in particular. This experience was so much more than just a single show. It was a window into a world that very few music fans get to see, much less participate in or attempt to “manage”. I say that with quotes because, while asked to manage various parts of the event (often on the fly with the words “Hey Rita, would you mind?”), I’m not sure what I did was truly managing. It felt more like running around like a headless chicken trying to make sure everyone had what they needed, when they needed it, how they needed it and all without breaking the budget.

Here is a brief day by day rundown of ten manic days with the Children of Edison.

Day 1: Discover that the van you planned to use to transport gear, merch and people from Castle Day 3: Up at 6am to make sure pedal and a keyboard not need some laundry done. So off will be shipped from the US and Edison has been sold. Remind everyone else is getting up. We working as well as in-ear monitor to the Guitar Center, art supply from the UK is separated out and Castle dwellers to be ready start to load van and check on problems. I manage to locate a store, Walmart and Starbucks. I the merch inventory completed, tomorrow at noon, then locate others. We hit the road at 8am rental keyboard and I make a list locate a laundromat and return to labeled and boxed. Bodies are new van at a reasonable cost. and have an uneventful drive for the Guitar Center. I locate said studio to take lunch orders and go aching, band and crew alike. arriving in Florida late afternoon. Guitar Center and a grocery store back to hotel for another pickup. º Rehearsal ends. Day 2: Up at 5am to shower We check out the rehearsal studio, and having been to both I return and finish packing. Computers? the new shirts and hoodies and do to the studio where the new gear I check on status of CD delivery Day 7: Up at 7am and after Check. I head out to get gas a partial load in. is unloaded and groceries put and arrival of video guy. The breakfast we load gear, luggage and breakfast, and thanks to away. I assemble the new stand rehearsal ends late and we and people. I head on a mission roadworks I am running late. I At the hotel a room is missing and order red velvet shoes. I start attempt to make dinner plans to a specialty hat store and drive stop about an hour from Castle but is eventually sorted so we the merch count in and discover I but everyone is on their own in circles trying to find said hat Edison to pick up Sven Henriksen finish check in and unload van. forgot a cash box. this evening. There’s a panic as a store. It’s too far to walk and who will be helping with driving, After dinner we are back to hotel guitar is missing so I undertake a there’s not enough time in the teching and anything else. He is around 11pm and confirm a 10am After a coffee run I listen to frantic drive back to the studio to end. We head to a new hotel near the epitome of ‘without whom’. sharp start tomorrow morning rehearsals long enough to realize locate it. the venue and I receive a message > 52 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 53 from video guy to say his flight people that I can’t name them has been delayed. We try and all here we load in and set up, check in but not all the rooms which is all done rather quickly. are ready. Once everything is ready we all hide in the refreshing cool air Day 8: Up at an ungodly 5am. of the house that serves as our I arrange a meeting with video backstage area while Alan Parsons guy and finally finish sending does his sound check and I talk to out download codes. Everyone a few press people. assembles in hotel lobby for a special NASA tour and I stupidly I make sure everyone has agree to ‘manage the day’. It’s a 45 whatever they might need. I then minute ride on NASA tour buses discover someone has taken our out to Cape Canaveral and once merch tables and eventually I there we take an awesome tour find where our tables have gone of the facility where the space and how to get them back. During shuttles were built. We have some the sound check the video guy pictures taken with members of says things are looking good on Alan Parsons’ band and crew, go his end, which is a relief. I walk out the launch pad where Apollo around the whole venue to see 11 and many other missions how the band look and sound lifted off, go to a lookout point from different vantage points and, where you can see many of the wow, the band sound amazing! launch pads, drive within yards of I am beyond impressed at how the SpaceX launch facilities, see well they came together with just buildings where astronauts were three days of rehearsal - this is housed before going into space going to be a damn good show. and see other administrative and scientific buildings. It was all Uh oh, I can’t get back into breathtaking and over way too backstage area as apparently I fast but there is a gig to be played wasn’t in the room when passes in a few short hours. were handed out. I manage to talk my way back in and find one last We all head back to the hotel pass buried under some towels where I remind everyone of the in the kitchen. We get the merch time to meet in the hotel lobby set up and ready on our recently to go to the venue. I have a quick liberated tables. change of clothes, eat two bites of lunch and realise I need to The crowds are now massing at sort ice packs and change for the gates. The doors open and merch stand. I send Sven out they file past the merch tables while I meet with video guy and to the open area. Friends and different spot in the pit to live they do, after which I assemble volunteer crew to come up with fans stop by to say hello and give broadcast a bit more. I hear my the whole band for photos. a revised plan for the day. All encouraging hugs. I retreat to the name coming out of the speakers. the gear, merch and people are backstage area to make sure all What? It’s Eric dedicating my I relieve Stephanie at the merch assembled in the lobby and we band and crew are ready to go favourite song, Haunted Memories. table and just have time to watch head to the venue for load in, and I herd them all onto the stage a bit of Alan Parson’s set before driving round in circles trying to after which I take a spot in the I answer some questions from heading backstage to ensure find venue entrance. Eventually pit to do a bit of live Facebook. people in the audience who don’t everyone is ready to join Alan we find someone to open the We have lift off! I see quite a few know the band and video another Parsons for the encore, which I gates and let us in and start to familiar faces in the audience; song before popping back to check watch from the pit. unload. Bloody hell, it’s crazy hot local Floridians and people who on merch and wait backstage for and humid - there was no point have come all the way from the the end of the set. We break down Day 9: Up at 6am to check on the bathing because we feel like we Northeast (roughly 16 hours for as quickly as possible and I make others. I shower, pack and check are taking a shower fully clothed those who don’t know American sure everything gets loaded into on others‚ again. We check out in this heat and humidity. geography). Seeing those people the correct vehicles after which of the hotel, load the van, say makes me stop and smile for I’m back to lend a hand at the good-bye to everyone not riding Uh Oh! Electronic gizmo forgotten a moment. Back to the gig and merch tables. Video guy has an back to Castle Edison. The drive is at hotel so Pete’s lovely wife Fiona everyone looks good. It sounds idea for some amazing photos thankfully uneventful and I realise goes back for it. She will go back good too. but we have to act fast before we how many people I never had a another two or three times that lose the light. I bring some of the chance to say hello or good-bye or day to retrieve other forgotten I pop over to merch to see how band out to meet fans and sign thank you to. I find us a hotel for items. With the help of so many it’s going and return to take a autographs, standing guard while the night and check in at midnight.> 54 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 55 Day 10: Up late at 8am and after breakfast, head up to Castle We all hide in the Edison. The gear, luggage and people are loaded out after which there’s a drive to NJ Shipping HQ refreshing cool air of the to unload some of the luggage and merch. Then there’s a seven hour drive home to unload the house that serves as our remaining merch and my luggage and then... sleep. backstage area Yes, I know I didn’t include the set list or my evaluation of the performance. I honestly didn’t know what the setlist was until after the fact. I couldn’t give an honest objective evaluation of the performance. I thought it looked and sounded fantastic. The band definitely picked up some new fans.

It was an honour to be asked, “Hey, Rita, would you mind..?”

It was a lot of hard work, but I loved (most of) it. It was truly an honour and a privilege to work with Pete, Eric, Rick, Lisa, Wes, Mark, Wendy, Stephanie, Eric (aka video guy), Brian, Michelle, Mike and Wes’ crew. No, I am not forgetting Sven. I am saving the best for last. He is my partner in musical crime and my best friend. I couldn’t have done it without him and I owe him an incredible debt of gratitude (and a cold beer).

What going through this experience has given me is even more love and respect for Lucy Jordache, Rich Lee, and Stephanie Bradley. They make their jobs managing, tour managing and organizing look so phenomenally effortless and easy. I now know first hand that those jobs most certainly are not. Next time you see any of them, be sure to give them a hearty thank you and a big hug, especially Rich because he loves that stuff so much. ●

> Apollo 11 photos ©2019 NASA

56 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 57 With Friends From Marillion The Orchestra - Live UK 2019

Dates for the With Friends Thursday 7 November Monday 18 November Thursday 12 December from The Orchestra Tour Guildhall, Portsmouth , London Auditoirum Della are selling fast with some Conciliazione, Rome, Italy venues already sold out. Saturday 9 November Tuesday 19 November Tour dates are as follows: The Forum, Bath Royal Albert Hall, London Friday 13 December Gran Teatro Geox, Padova, Friday 1 November Sunday 10 November Friday 6 December Italy Philharmonic, Liverpool: New Theatre, Oxford Concertgebouw de SOLD OUT! Vereeniging, Nijmegen, Sunday 15 December Tuesday 12 November Netherlands: SOLD OUT! Colosseum Theater, Essen, Sunday 3 November Royal Concert Hall, Germany: SOLD OUT! Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Saturday 7 December Nottingham Tivoli Vredenburg, Utrecht, Monday 16 December Wednesday 13 November Netherlands: SOLD OUT! Colosseum Theater, Essen, Monday 4 November The Sage, Gateshead Germany: SOLD OUT! Bridgewater Hall, Monday 9 December Manchester Friday 15 November Salle Pleyel Paris, France: Last few tickets Cliffs Pavilion, Southend SOLD OUT! available from: Wednesday 6 November www.marillion.com/tour Symphony Hall, Saturday 16 November Tuesday 10 December Birmingham St David’s Hall, Cardiff Radiant-Bellevue, Lyon, France

58 > The Web UK Magazine > Summer 2019 Summer 2019 < The Web UK Magazine < 59