C Prod
Writing that Steven Wilson was expected for his return to Belgium is an understatement. The 2,000 places in the room found buyers in the space of a few hours after the opening of the solo tour of the Porcupine Tree frontman. Steven Wilson had not happened on stage for more than six years in this configuration despite the release of two albums before The Overview which was added to his discography just a few weeks ago. The Brussels date is the fifth of a tour which started in Sweden at the beginning of the month and which will stretch until 2026 crossing the whole globe.
Even if the setlist is practically identical to each concert, the order of the songs has been changed over time. Thus, Wednesday evening at the Cirque Royal, Steven Wilson appeared at 7:45 pm barefoot in the middle of his keyboards to interpret Outlive US objects and The Overview, which represent half of the duration of his new album. Supported by video clips broadcast on a giant screen at the bottom of the scene, the singer appeared in great shape and very sure of himself despite the technical avatars encountered during his four previous performances. After laying his melancholy voice, Steven Wilson was joined by his musicians who have always made up his group.
The show was very visual representing the conceptual theme of The Overview which describes cognitive change felt by astronauts when they observe the earth since space, becoming aware of the fragility of the earth and the insignificance of humanity in the face of this constellation of planets in the universe. Human forms have followed one another in row around the planets until the arrival of the sun on fire to sign the end of the first act composed of the two major pieces of this last album which marks a return from Steven Wilson to its progressive roots. The voice of his wife Rotem, broadcast on a recorded band, argued the astronomical point of view expressing modern melancholy in the face of the state of the earth. The show was up to par. Both from a visual and musical point of view.
Indeed, Soli Randy Mcstine have been masterfully interpreted leaving an audience petrified by the accuracy of his guitar game. The two previous albums The Harmony Codex and future cocks, above all, more controversial because more electros, were not supported by a tour. It is undoubtedly for this reason that the singer with glasses began the second act of his concert after a quarter of an hour by The Harmony Codex then King Ghost.
-Steven Wilson quickly returned where we were waiting for him with Luminol, the only extract from The Raven that refused to sing to the jazz rock colorings on which Nick Beggs, the bassist with long blond hair, gave it to heart to hammer the strings of his instrument. The atmosphere then became more rock despite the more temperate passage of What Life Brings.
Steven Wilson would not be what he is without his Porcupine Tree group, recognized as one of the leaders of the progressive rock scene. This is undoubtedly the reason why he played Dislocated Day, classic of his original training.
The singer did not fail to address his audience by asking him in the tone of humor if there were people who were there by chance, accompanying a spouse or a friend. But no one dared to come forward. Steven Wilson therefore announced that he needs all his concentration to play Harmony Korine, a piece particularly difficult to interpret according to him. And there again, not a single false note. It was already the time for reminders. “Well and well I tried to write hits but it never worked well,” joked the musician. “Each of you has his favorite title and I would have hoped that the one who will come to be unanimous,” he added before playing Pariah, a title interpreted with Ninet Tayeb, Israeli singer of Moroccan origin whose recorded voice was supported by the broadcast of her face on the giant screen.
The concert ended on an ancestral diabolical before the lights of the royal circus go out …
Steven Wilson is an accomplished artist. He still demonstrated it on Wednesday evening. To the delight of the 2,000 fans present …
