Steven Wilson and his band played the Royal Albert Hall in London last night on tour with his current Album, The Raven that Refused to Sing and other stories.This was to be an interesting concert experience having never been to the Royal Albert Hall, this was a chance to see a favourite modern band of mine in a sophisticated venue of cultural and musical significance.
After the initial video to open the gig (presumably relating to one of the 'stories' on the album) Wilson came on stage to open the show with a favourite Porcupine Tree song, Trains. The setlist was quite different from when touring with Steven's previous record, but now with more material to work with he had obviously shaken things up a bit. A new song was debuted and previous favourites as Harmony Korine and Raider II were included in the setlist and the evening would go on to be one of my favourite and most memorable musical experiences again finishing on an early Porcupine Tree track. This concert was a true 'had to be there' moment. You will never be able to replicate the sheer sonic experience or atmosphere from the band on any form of high definition Blue Ray or Surround Sound.
I found there to be only one disappointment of the night, and that was the Royal Albert Hall audience. Im not sure where it was just because it was a more sophisticated venue, or whether the local 'well to do' people had just gone for a Sunday evening out at the Royal Albert Hall, but the crowd seemed to lack atmosphere. After the final song before the encore, The Raven That Refused to Sing was played, I jumped to my feet to give a roar of applause and found it a shame that only around a third of the venue followed suit. There was a sort of standing ovation after the encore, but Steven had already got the crowd standing before the last song was played, so I personally felt the band had been cheated. Obviously some people just weren't aware of what they had just been a part of, but I would rate it nothing less than an incredible night by an incredible band.
Radioactive Toy live at the Royal Albert Hall 20/10/13. Clip has been taken down by the management.
