The Forum, Darlington
Friday, 28th November 2025
Yes, before any of you go out of your way to point out that I have already reviewed both artists in April ’25 and mentioned the JHB in a festival review, I will justify this piece as a simple exercise in comparisons. After all it has been a busy year of concerts and things can evolve, good or bad, as time goes by.
When I saw the band, in April last year, it was the launch concert of their new album, Red Institution, so it was a new set and, although I didn’t see any, there were nerves and quite possibly mistakes. But, seven months on, I wanted to see how and if anything had changed for both acts.
DIKAJEE
Last time Olga Dikajee Karpova had accompaniment but this time it was just her, a keyboard and an audience. Even if the crowd were on her side, I always think that it must be a nerve racking experience, for even the most experienced of musicians. But if there was any wariness on her part it didn’t reveal itself. As always her performance was entertaining and her voice was superlative.
Whenever I hear her sing one question instantly comes to mind. How did she get such an amazing voice? Such power, confined in a relatively small venue, made me think that the walls would not have been able to contain it and copied the ones in Jericho. I am no musician so I would be lost trying to discuss cadence, range or anything like that, but I do know that I got the impression that she could sing opera in Covent Garden or rock them in the Royal Albert Hall and a microphone would be obsolete.
The set was slightly different, with a couple of song changes, but that didn’t change the enjoyment. The only drawback was how short her set was. It is understandable that a support act has a limited amount of time but I still long for the day when I can see her as the headline act and hear a longer set with a lot more songs.
Forest
Millions Of Flashes
Lily Of The Valley
Friar’s Lantern
Pagan Poetry
Lily of the Valley
Gloomy Flowers Blooming
JOHN HACKETT BAND
The main act and the $64,000 question, how had the months affected the performance? I remember, at the time, I gave them a glowing review for the album launch concert, which included a few tracks that celebrated the 50th anniversary of John’s participation on the first Steve Hackett solo album, Voyage of the Acolyte, and commented on their energy, so I was concerned that some of that might have faded away as the repetition of the set list became routine. But I am glad to report that the fire was still there and despite them not being a gang of teenagers they certainly stood up for themselves when it came to playing. A performance that hit me in the heart and, at times, made me think that my stomach was being rhythmically hit with a sledgehammer. They were certainly not treading water and, if anything, I think they were the best that I had seen them all year.
Yes, Duncan’s jokes were still corny but there were a few new ones, and I couldn’t help laughing at despite myself. But I have no desire to discuss his hat, other than to say that someone’s mum wants their tea cosy back. However once ensconced behind his drum kit all is forgotten.
Jeremy, on vocals, guitars and bass, was exuding confidence and his acoustic guitar pieces were stunning. John Hackett was, as always, overflowing with skill and talent. He might be quiet and modest when you talk with him but once he is on stage, he is a true leader.
Finally, I need to dig deepest into my thesaurus of superlatives for Nick Fletcher on guitars. At the time of the album launch he was suffering from an arm/shoulder injury. He didn’t play on it for sympathy or broadcast the fact and he played with all the skill and talent that you would expect from him as he gave a powerhouse performance. But several months later his injury had recovered and, to me, his performance had improved. He even looked comfortable enough including a few old school foot on speaker, type rocker poses. I still maintain that if he had been playing in any earlier eras he could have easily been in such bands as the Yardbirds, Rainbow, Deep Purple or Black Lace 😉 … But I am just glad that he is around now, and I can enjoy his skill.
The JHB is made up of four great musicians and I just wish that Prog could resurface as it did in the 80’s so that they could get the airplay and recognition that the truly deserve.
I will not undertake a song by song analysis of the set as I have done so before earlier and the setlist remains unaltered, all I will say – they were superb! The year is now over, as is the tour, but they have already published the dates for Autumn of 2026 of which I am planning to see them as many times as I can. Whether you have seen them before, or not, I can recommend that you do the same.
[Photos by Chris Simmons]
SETLIST
1589 (MDLXXXIX)
Theme And Rondo
The Committee
Queenie And Elmo’s Perfect Day
Burnt Down Trees
Ace Of Wands
Hands Of The Priestess
A Tower Struck Down
– Interval –
Quiz (Duncan Parson’s spot)
Dreamtown/Stella
Winds Of Change
Who Let The Rain In
Claire’s Tango
I Talk To The Wind
Red Institution
Shadow Of The Hierophant
~ Encore
Red Hair
MUSICIANS
John Hackett – Vocals, Flute, Keyboards, Guitar
Nick Fletcher – Guitar
Jeremy Richardson – Vocals, Bass, Acoustic Guitar
Duncan Parsons – Drums
