This weekend has been amazing. Talk about the experience of a lifetime – I still can’t believe it’s over. I suppose I should start at the beginning!
I’ve been a fan of Marillion for years. For those who don’t know who they are, if I mention the song Kayleigh, it might ring a bell. But they are so much more than that one song.
I’d never been to see them live, for one reason and another. So when the kids got me a ticket for Christmas, I was beside myself with excitement! Flights and hotel was booked, and the months dragged along until the big day finally arrived, and Lucy came with me for the trip and the gig.
We’ve done a podcast about our weekend in Liverpool, and I’ll write all about that in another post, but this blog post is just about Marillion.
I’ve been to see Magnum on several occasions, and I know the Magnum ‘family’, but I don’t know any of the Marillion fans, so I was hoping that I’d be OK – especially as Lucy was at the back of the hall and I was in the stalls. Thankfully, the people around me seemed nice. It was quite strange sitting for a gig though, as I’m usually up and dancing! We did get to dance for the last two songs though.
The gig was held at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, it’s a lovely venue and my first time there, the staff are great too. We were there early and walked around the back of the hall, where we saw a few people waiting at the tour bus, so we decided to wait too.
I was willing the band to come out, but there was no sign of them and it started to rain. I was going to give up and go inside, but Lucy told me to wait a bit longer – and manifest! Lo and behold, H, the lead singer, walked out of the stage door.
Well, I never moved as fast in my life! I somehow ended up on the tour bus beside him. I don’t know how – or why I got on the tour bus! But there I was! I don’t actually remember that part at all, apart from the fact that I was so thrilled to meet him. I told him that I hoped I wouldn’t pass out – thankfully I didn’t! It was beyond my wildest dreams to get a photo with him, and he also signed my bag. I’m such a fangirl!
We made our way to the bar in the hall as soon as the doors opened and I had to have a double vodka to settle my nerves. It didn’t help – so I had another one!
The support act were Haunt the Woods – an amazing band, and the lead singer has a fantastic vocal range. We met him at the interval and bought a CD, which he signed for us.
And then it was time for Marillion. Oh my goodness, what a gig.The band are fantastic. They sound exactly the same live as they do on their albums, which is some achievement. You’d never think that H was 70 years old.
It was great to see the rapport between Pete and H. And bless Pete, he had issues with his guitar lead. You could see a crew member trying to help him during the first few songs, and in the end he got the band to stop so he could get sorted.
I loved that H started playing All You Need Is Love and everyone joined in. The perfect song for Liverpool. The lead got sorted and the gig continued.
I lost count of how many standing ovations there were, all so well deserved. The only minor niggle for me was the heckler being abusive to H. I’ll never understand why people pay money to go to a concert and then shout rubbish at the performers. I have no issue with the person who told Steve Rothery that they loved him – that’s all good!
Speaking of Steve Rothery – what an incredible guitar player. He doesn’t just play the guitar, he makes it sing, and he did some outstanding solos. I almost wish I could play because he does masterclasses. How cool would that be??
Anyway, that was just a glimpse of my night. I can’t really put into words how much it meant to me. I’m getting quite emotional just thinking about it! What a weekend. What a gig. And what an experience. And yes, I’m still a fangirl!
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