Releasing a live album after each new concert series has become standard practice for some bands: Steve Hackett, Yes, Marillion, and Transatlantic, to name just a few, have been guilty of this phenomenon for a number of years. But are we really complaining? Surely it is wonderful to be able to re-watch/re-listen to a souvenir of that fantastic performance by your favourite band from the comfort of your own home? Or hear what you missed out on? The guys and gals of Big Big Train (BBT) are also among this illustrious list of prog icons as we have now reached number six in the series of live recordings from this top-notch band, led by songwriter/bassist Greg Spawton.
This time, the performances took place during 2024-2025 and recorded at venues across Europe, United States, Canada and on Cruise To The Edge, which explains the post-fixed ‘Live Around The World‘ part on the new album, Are We Nearly There Yet?. BBT aficionados will recognise the title as it is a line from the song Last Eleven, which also gave its name to the band’s latest successful studio album, The Likes of Us – the first with the new line-up, featuring vocalist Alberto Bravin (PFM) and keyboardist Oskar Holldorff (Dim Gray). The resultant series of shows included the Zoetermeer Boerderij, with the two shows scheduled featuring: on Saturday, the band played almost the entire new studio album, while on Sunday, they played iconic songs from the band’s rich history. Are We Nearly There Yet? largely follows this format: On CD 1 we are treated to seven tracks from The Likes of Us. The highlight is the nearly nineteen-minute-long Beneath the Masts, which has all the makings of a modern classic in BBT’s oeuvre.
The first disc concludes with a personal favourite, the aforementioned Last Eleven.
As with the album itself both CDs are also subtitled and not chosen arbitrarily. CD 1 is entitled The Lives of Us, not an illogical reference given the fact that all the songs are from The Likes of Us album. But also because they have a more autobiographical, introspective quality than the songs on the second disc. CD 2 is subtitled The Lives of Others and the seven songs selected are from other albums in the band’s extensive catalogue, which currently stands with fourteen studio albums. Moreover, they are mostly descriptions of others, people, or situations from the past and present, such as the classics The First Rebreather, A Mead Hall In Winter, and The Florentine. It is also the first live album to feature recordings not made (primarily) in London, with the exception of the show during Night of the Prog at Loreley 2018 (Summer Shall Not Fade Away).
Besides the personnel changes already mentioned, there’s something else going on with this live album. It also marks a break with the past. Where once around fourteen men or women regularly occupied the stage, there are now only seven musicians left. A necessary evil; touring with such a large ensemble is, after all, extremely expensive. The result: the five-piece horn section has been replaced by a lone trumpet player. The additional guitarist has also had to leave the stage. Multi-instrumentalist Rikard Sjöblom does what he does best: playing guitar with extreme passion. But this doesn’t mean the band has lost any of its power; quite the opposite. By optimally utilizing the band members’ versatility, the band sounds more compact, fresher, and more rocking than before. Moreover, Bravin and Sjöblom, in particular, are so strong on multiple instruments (guitar, keyboards, even drums) that the lack of personnel is easily compensated for. Furthermore, the signature harmony vocals are still rock solid; just listen to Miramare. And that lone trumpeter, Paul Mitchell, admirably handles the unenviable task of single-handedly replacing a tuba, trombone, French horn, and euphonium. He does it with verve and the necessary showmanship/bravado, bravo/hats off!
In short, Are We Nearly There Yet? is a great representation of BBT 2.0 live – a punchy, concise, more rocking version, without losing sight of its progressive roots. Finally another ‘change’ as regular recording engineer Rob Aubrey, normally responsible for sound and mixing, is busy working on the new studio album, scheduled for 2026, so singer/songwriter Alberto Bravin takes the honours behind the mixing desk, and he has done a superb job. This live album is an excellent interlude until the next studio is released.
TRACK LISTING
CD 1: The Lives Of Us
01. Light Left In The Day (6:20)
02. Oblivion (5:41)
03. Beneath The Masts (18:23)
04. Skates On (4:40)
05. Miramare (10:41)
06. Love Is The Light* (6:46)
07. Last Eleven (8:05)
Time – 60:34
CD 2: The Lives Of Others
01. The First Rebreather (8:50)
02. Black With Ink (7:48)
03. A Mead Hall In Winter (16:25)
04. Snowfalls (6:36)
05. The Florentine* (8:33)
06. The Transit Of Venus Across The Sun (7:20)
07. Apollo (9:08)
– (* Not on 3LP version)
Time – 62:40
Total Time – 123:14
MUSICIANS
Alberto Bravin – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion, Drums
Nick D’Virgilio – Drums, Percussion, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Oskar Holldorff – Keyboards, Vocals
Clare Lindley – Violin, Guitars, Mellotron, Vocals
Paul Mitchell – Trumpet, Vocals, Mellotron, Percussion
Rikard Sjöblom – Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Greg Spawton – Bass, Bass Pedals, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron
DISCOGRAPHY
Are We Nearly There Yet? (2025)
A Flare On The Lens [BR] (2024)
The Likes Of Us (2024)
Ingenious Devices (2023)
Summer Shall Not Fade – Live At Loreley [BR] (2022)
Welcome To The Planet (2022)
Common Ground (2021)
Empire (BR) (2020)
Summer’s Lease (2020)
Reflectors Of Light [BR] (2019)
Grand Tour (2019)
Merchants Of Light (2018)
Grimspound (2017)
A Stone’s Throw From The Line (2016)
Folklore (2016)
From Stone And Steel (2016)
Wassail (ep) (2015)
Make Some Noise [EP] (2013)
English Electric: Full Power (2013)
English Electric Part Two (2013)
English Electric Part One (2012)
Far Skies Deep Time [EP] (2010)
The Underfall Yard (2009)
The Difference Machine (2007)
Gathering Speed (2004)
Bard (2002)
English Boy Wonders (1997)
Goodbye To The Age Of Steam (1994)
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: English Electric Recordings
Country of Origin: UK
Date of Release: 3rd October 2025
LINKS
Big Big Train – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | YouTube | X | Instagram
