It’s the height of Orthodox Easter celebrations but no one at the hall is hurrying for the church mass. After all, Easter comes only once a year but prog rock’s blue-eyed prodigy Steven Wilson's first visit to our city is not a thing to be missed.

 

People are actually here for various reasons. Most of them are experienced (or brand new) Porcupine Tree fans while others have come across the name of Wilson through to listening to Opeth, Anathema, King Crimson and Jethro Tull albums and re-releases that he has produced, remastered or contributed to.

 

We actually meet friends that are here just because of all the hype and actually know not what to expect. We envy them – they would find this concert to be quiter the revelation.
 

It comes as such to as as well, even though we’ve watched hundreds of live recordings online and know all too well what the setlist for the night would be. Wilson’s powerful presence, the elegant performance and the very, very impressive video output make this not only one of the concert highlights of this year but possibly of the last 5.

 

This is progressive rock alright but not a showoff event. Just like when he composes his own music or produces someone else’s Wilson always maintains balance between masterful playing, electronic minimalism, pessimism and optimism – and this gig is no exception. It is quiet and introvert, almost trip hop at places; then erupting into grand, noisy Pink Floyd-esque themes.

 

 

We get served Wilson’s latest ‘Hand. Cannot. Erase’ in its entirety, followed by some tasty Porcupine Tree tracks, a selection off his other solo works as well as a well-timed Prince cover (‘Sign o' the Times’, these days played by the wonderful Muse as well).

 

This is no time to wonder off for beer or rush to the toilet – the live show is most captivating and leaves us entranced for some three hours. And even though just like a great book or album, it is a thing to be enjoyed in its entirety, we’ll point out just what were the night’s highlights – the brilliant ‘Sleep Together’, the grieving ‘The Raven That Refused to Sing’, the very emotional ‘Happy Returns’, the freshly new ‘Vermillioncore’ and the darkly grand ‘Harmony Korine’.

 

 

Wilson, barefoot, is undoubtedly a sight to behold – calm as a coma he sings and plays, making his trademark hand gestures, controlling his band and the audience at the same time. The other outstanding feature of his show are the videos and animations that accompany each track, making the experience cinematic and thoroughly fulfilling. 

What an Easter this was, ah??