Saturday 21 May 2011

Roma (something to remember)

Steve Hackett Live
The 13th of May, 2011 - Roma, Teatro Tendastrisce

LINE UP
Steve Hackett (guitar and voice)
Roger King (keyboard)
Gary O'Toole (drum, percussions and voice)
Rob Townsend (sax and flute)
Nick Beggs (bass guitar)
Amanda Lehmann (guitar and backing vocals)

A pair of shots I took before the show:





I've never seen a Steve Hackett show before. It was a wonderful concert, two hours and a half of great music. The Tendastrisce was almost full, and among the public I was able to see members of the PFM, the great italian progressive rock band.



All the musicians were great; Steve introduced the guitarist Amanda Lehmann, that sang Shadow of the Hierophant





Note the beautiful plaits of Nick Beggs, the bass player :-)



They played many beautiful songs both from Steve solo career, and by Genesis.
The fantastic Everyday, and Watcher of the Skies, that was moving to me.



Even Fly on a winshield, and Squonk.



At a certain point he said: if you wish to sing: Carpet Crawlers!







I remember Firth of Fifth.
And a beautiful guitar medley, with Horizons, and a very fleeting reference to Dancing with the Moonlit Knight. Then Blood on the Rooftops. Steve sang only his own songs. Genesis songs were interpreted by the drummer Gary O'Toole, great! His young and very beautiful voice made these songs still alive!





Also a beautiful stick bass guitar solo by Nick Beggs.











I was at the first row of chairs. Toward the end I sat down on the floor, just under the stage, few steps from them: it was fantastic, a real dream!











They said goodbye, and after some minutes they came out again for the encore, that I saw with my elbows on the stage!
Then the drummer played a very intense solo:









...with Steve at his side, in the dark...!

 

After the show, I staid there for some time to see how they were dismantling the stage.
Rob Townsend came out at this point.

Then, together with other people, I went near the big door where they'd have to go out; there were some bouncers.
The drummer came out before, then Steve. He was so kind to sign autographs for all the people waiting (me included!)
I'd have wanted to compliment to the drummer too, but he had already gone. Drummer, if by chance you are passing by this blog, I want to say to you: you're great! Keep on playing/singing this way!!!

                                                                                          Paola AKA tethia
                                                                                          21 maggio 2011


Some words about the show at Steve Hackett's Official Website