Islington Assembly Hall
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Phenomenal.
A single word perfectly captures what The Flower Kings delivered at London’s Islington Assembly Hall last night – a performance which transformed technical musical excellence into something approaching the glorious and sublime. Amidst an atmosphere of eager anticipation, the Swedish progressive rock masters quietly and unassumingly took to the stage and proceeded to obliterate all of our expectations.
I have a soft spot for the Islington Assembly Hall. Its grand architecture provides a sense of opulence and gravity, whilst the acoustics create an intimate and attentive atmosphere. As a venue, it proved the perfect setting for the expansive musical vision to which we were treated. Kudos to the folks working on the mixing desk, the sound was immaculate, allowing every nuance of the band’s complex arrangements to shine. The opening notes of We Claim the Moon immediately revealed the evening’s promise: musical precision married to emotional depth.
The setlist itself tells a compelling story, weaving together tracks from their recent album Love – We Claim the Moon, How Can You Leave Us Now!?, Considerations and Elder – with time-honoured classics including Last Minute on Earth, Big Puzzle, and The Dream. The thoughtful and perceptive journey on which they so deftly took us planted one foot in their ever-evolving innovative artistry whilst keeping the other foot firmly in their established catalogue. Lalle Larsson’s piano solo provided a moment of inspired brilliance, showcasing the band’s willingness to explore dynamics and space within their typically intricate arrangements.
What struck me most forcefully was the band’s extraordinary synergy. They delivered the kind of intuitive musical communication which comes only from years of shared creative exploration. Their interplay felt organic and joyful, each musician contributing not just technical prowess but genuine soul to the collective sound. The complexity of their compositions—intricate time signatures, layered harmonies, and sophisticated melodic development—delivered an emotional experience. It was challenging, stimulating, and deeply moving.
The new material from Love was warmly received. There was a palpable sense of immediate connection to the creative direction of the latest album. These songs, dealing with themes of human connection, abandonment and transcendence, translated beautifully to the live setting, their studio sophistication enhanced by the raw and nuanced energy of performance. Yet it was the older pieces that perhaps revealed the true depth of the band’s relationship with their audience. Last Minute on Earth and Big Puzzle earned the biggest reactions of the night, greeted like old friends by an audience nodding and swaying in familiarity with each and every note.
The audience response throughout was nothing short of remarkable. There was a remarkable sense of privilege in the room – a recognition they were witnessing something special. The complexity and beauty of the music demand deep listening, and the audience responds with rapt, focused attention, allowing every subtle musical conversation between instruments to be heard and appreciated. This wasn’t a show; it wasn’t a performance. It was the organic and glorious communion between musicians and listeners through the medium of sophisticated, emotionally resonant music.
Technically, the set was flawless. The sound quality was perfect, allowing the full range of The Flower Kings’ sonic palette to emerge with pristine clarity. Every bass line, every keyboard flourish, every delicate guitar passage was rendered with the clarity and precision it deserved. The lighting complemented rather than competed with the music, creating an atmosphere enhancing rather than distracting from the performance.
The Flower Kings proved why they remain at the visionary forefront of progressive rock. Their ability to blend stunning technical musicianship with genuine feeling represents music at its very best. In an era where complexity often seems to exist for its own sake, they demonstrate a singular vision where musical virtuosity gently takes you by the hand and leads you to deeper and profoundly poignant levels by connecting us directly to the heart.
As the final notes fade, the eruption of appreciation was a cathartic outpouring of love and gratitude for something which will stay with us for years to come. The Flower Kings delivered not just a concert but an experience that reminded everyone present why music matters so much in these present times.
Phenomenal, indeed.
[Our thanks to Jamie Robertson for the photos used in this review]
SETLIST
We Claim The Moon
How Can You Leave Us Now!?
Considerations
The Elder
Last Minute on Earth
Piano Solo (Lalle Larsson)
Big Puzzle
The Dream
MUSICIANS
Mirko DeMaio – Drums & Percussion
Hasse Fröberg – Vocals, Guitar
Lalle Larson – Grand Piano, Rhodes Piano, Hammond B3, Synthesisers
Michael Stolt – Bass, Moog Bass, Vocals
Roine Stolt – Vocals, Electric & Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Ukulele
