PORCUPINE TREE AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL IN NEW YORK CITY
Never did I think that I’d see this legendary band live in my lifetime, and at a venue as spectacular and acoustically perfect as Radio City Music Hall. There I was on a Friday evening ready to be engulfed in progressive and psychedelic rock music for the next three hours. As I walked into the venue, I was greeted by the grandeur of the main lobby before entering the auditorium which was a sight to behold in itself. Walking down the aisle, I noticed how age-diverse the crowd was compared to the majority of shows that I have been to - it varied from kids in their pre-teens all the way to senior citizens. Regardless of their age group, everyone appeared enthusiastic and excited to see the prog rock icons.
The band started on time with one of their most energetic hits, “Blackest Eyes”, taken from their now almost twenty year old album In Absentia (2002) before transitioning right into “Harridan” from their latest album Closure/Continuation (2022). Being a long set, the band decided to split it up into three acts with two intermissions in between. Well into their first act, the band’s founder and lead vocalist, Steven Wilson recounted the fact that it had been over 12 years since the last time they played in this majestic New York City venue and that they were excited to be back and play their latest album in its entirety alongside the extravagant catalogue of old gems they have had planned for the night. He also mentioned that Jordan Rudess, keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist of Dream Theatre, was in the crowd. One of the last songs of the first act they played was “The Sound of Muzak”, a song about music becoming more of a commodity than a piece of art. Before going ahead with performing this rather sinister sounding track, Wilson further elaborated on the fact that he had “predicted two decades ago” where the current state of the music industry, especially big music labels, would be, and indeed he was right. The lyrics of this track’s chorus says, “One of the wonders of the world is going down,” the wonder being music in its true and natural sense.
After a short intermission, the band began their second act by introducing their touring bassist Nate Navarro and lead guitarist Randy McStine. It was the hometown show for the latter and the band lead made a joke by saying, “No pressure, but all your friends and family are here.” This act included an eighteen minute long track “Anesthetize” which they played live and in full for the first time in over a decade. Burnt out but energized from performing this journey of a song, Wilson pointed out the seating room situation of the venue saying, “I’d personally like everyone to stand up but I know it may not be possible for some and that’s completely okay.” More people stood up to see the band close off the act, with a track ironically named “Sleep Together”.
The third and final act included a selection of three tracks, the last one being their most popular score to date, “Trains”, a rather cinematic song about nostalgia from Steven Wilson’s childhood when he grew up near a train station. The show drew to a close with the breathtaking outro chorus of the track and a bow from the band. The immense respect I already had for this band just went up a notch that night and if they’re touring in the United States again, find me in the front most seats or in the pit because, even if you’re not a fan of progressive music, this is a band you wouldn’t want to miss.
