The Palladium, London
Tuesday, 13th May 2025
Steven Wilson is back and touring, which was announced around the time of the release of his latest solo album The Overview. The tour, which will not end until November, takes the ‘little big man’ not only to European venues but also the United States and Canada, South America, India and Australia. Of course his home country, and especially London, will not be overlooked with five shows during May in the metropolis.
All the shows in London are completely sold out, with a different support act each time and quite surprisingly with a stand-up comedian. Tonight it was the very popular comedian Al Murray with his well-known ‘pub landlord’ act, and the first rows especially paid the price, with his typical English humour, including the full load from a pint of beer. The Palladium is an old theatre in London’s West End and is a venue that seems only possible to exist in the United Kingdom – an old hall, dating from 1910 is full of nostalgic and somewhat faded glory. Tonight it is occupied by more than two thousand spectators who laugh their heads off for twenty minutes, or one side of an LP as the comedian puts it vividly. With many references to prog titles and lyrics, he is a resounding success. But of course the audience had come specifically for the main act this evening, the man who presents himself on stage for the first time in six years.
The show starts almost immediately after the supporting act and while a large part of the audience is still in the bar, strange and somewhat disrespectful? The band kicks off with the two tracks from the new album The Overview which is downright impressive, the music seems more compact, sharper, heavier as well, in this live rendition. I have to revise my opinion about the album, even the accursed enumeration of distances and planets suddenly seems acceptable and logical. A completely new insight and above all an excellent and energetic start to the show. The first part in particular garners a big round of applause from the home crowd, Wilson comes from nearby Hertfordshire. After the complete version of The Overview there’s a short break, the hall is almost empty and the beer taps are working overtime.
After the break the band start with Porcupine Tree’s Voyage 34 (Phase I) a track not played live since 2001. The song itself a kind of modern version of Pink Floyd, an atmospheric, long piece in the vein of Echoes and One of these Days. We are then presented with an excellent cross-section of Wilson’s solo work with, amongst others, the splendid Pariah with Ninet Tayeb’s images on the XXL projection screen. Especially for visitors who were ‘unwillingly’ present with their partners, Wilson’s self-mockery knows no bounds 😉 Three tracks from a personal favourite, Hand.cannot.erase, the heavy Regret #9 and Home Invasion, both making their tour debut. Also two more songs from Porcupine Tree with, in addition to previously mentioned Voyage 34, also Dislocated Day. Penultimate album Harmony Codex contributes two songs, accompanied by intriguing videos. The visuals are fantastic anyway, almost all songs are supported by (new) images, the lighting is great and the sound can truly be called excellent, kudos. Ancestral and trusty old The Raven That Refused to Sing act as an encore, no surprises there.
Wilson is in his element this evening, the falsetto voice is pure and powerful, as is his ‘normal’ vocals. Along with his vocals he plays electric and acoustic guitar alternately, as well as numerous keyboards and provides the sound effects in passing. Now 57, he seems much younger, focused and intensely playing his parts. Quite a few samples of drums and synthesizers in particular play in the background, remarkable with such a top-notch band behind/next to you. With master drummer Craig Blundell, king of the four and ten (Stick) strings Nick Beggs and old faithful keyboardist Adam Holzman there is quite some exceptional talent and experience on stage. In addition, a leading role is reserved for the new, relatively unknown guitarist Randy McStine, who also provides most of the backing vocals. He is also responsible for a somewhat clownish fall after a visit to the front of the stage. Which elicits Wilson’s remark ‘who needs a stand-up comedian, it’s comedy capers’. McStine ends the song half lying on the floor without missing a note, extremely professional.
Steven Wilson and his band played for circa two and a half hours which included many new songs not performed on this tour. All those extra hours of practice, ensured the band was tight and vibrant and along with the inclusion of numerous new videos is fully appreciated by the enthusiastic crowd, earning him numerous standing ovations from the enthusiastic crowd. Over 2,300 witnessed this absolute fantastic show from Steven Wilson and Co.
Then it was time to go and we all quietly moved together towards the taxi ramps and and tube stations. This definitely leaves me with a taste for more – should I still try and get those last available tickets for the show at the end of May in the AFAS Theater in Amsterdam?
[All live images used in this article are courtesy of the Official Steve Wilson Facebook Page]
SETLIST
Objects Outlive Us
The Overview
– Interval –
Voyage 34 (Phase I)
King Ghost
Home Invasion
Regret #9
Pariah
Dislocated Day
Impossible Tightrope
Economies Of Scale
Harmony Korine
Vermillioncore
~ Encore:
Ancestral
The Raven That Refused To Sing
MUSICIANS
Steven Wilson – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Nick Beggs – Bass, Chapman Stick, Backing Vocals
Adam Holzman – Keyboards
Craig Blundell – Drums
Randy McStine – Guitars, Backing Vocals
