The last time Porcupine Tree played in Toronto, I was
utterly blown away. I was at a loss for adjectives.
Last night they returned on the latest tour. How are
they going to top the last show, I wondered.
They did. They were even better! If they keep this
up we're going to have to invent new adjectives to
describe their performance! Considering how complex
their music is, they played it perfectly, and beyond.
They made it seem easy. They played the new album
straight, and they did so magnificently! The
backscreen projections gave a whole new life to the
music, and added entire new dimensions to it. They
brought the point home with the force of a
sledgehammer.
After that they took a short break, then came back
and played some older numbers, including a few that
simply blew me away! The played 'Drown With me' the
extra track from 'In Absentia'. Leader Steve Wilson
wondered why it was left off the album, and I have
wondered the same thing. They also played a few
pieces that were much older, including a personal
favourite, 'Sever' from the Signify album. They ended
with the classic 'Trains', then encored with 'Mother
and Child Divided', then roared into 'Halo'. Then
left the crowd roaring for more, and cheering their
lungs out.
This time I went to the concert with my friend's
daughter Tiffany. It was her first concert, and she
was utterly enthralled with the whole show! She was
not familiar with a lot of the material, but that only
whetted her appetite for more. I know today she plans
to head for the record stores to buy the complete
collection of Porcupine Tree!
As an added bonus, we went for a bit of libation (a
drink for those with no dictionary handy, LOL!), and
who should pass by our table, but Richard, the
keyboard player! We got an autograph, and had a quick
chat with him.
After that we stepped outside to discover a few
other band members just outside the theatre! We got
to meet Gavin, John and the master, Steve Wilson
himself! They were wonderful to the fans waiting to
meet them, posing for pictures and signing
autogrpaphs.
In all, a concert experience we're never going to
forget! Given that I've seen thousands of concerts in
my lifetime, this was certainly one of the best. I
left a Drambuie on the rocks on the table at the end
of the night. No one drank it, but it sat as a
reminder of the person who opened the portal to this
magnificent band for me. Doug LeBlanc.


Doug LeBlanc
Canadian Progressive Music Society
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/canprog/
A heart that takes is soon to break
A heart that is giving will give forever
Dave Lambert of the Strawbs



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