RGG July 2016 - p.34
In lieu of a support act and serving as a musical
appetiser prior to the evening’s central focus,
Fish entertained the audience with “Pipeline”,
“Long Cold Road”, “ A Feast Of Consequences”,
“Family Business”, and “The Perception Of
Johnny Punter” all of which were taken from his
solo career. Clearly enjoying the affinity he has
with his fans, Fish took the opportunity between
these songs to regale them with tales of
humour, poignancy, and observations of tours
past.
Misplaced Childhood, for those unaware of its
significance, was the chart-topping album that
launched Marillion (Fish’s former band) into the
mainstream musical consciousness, and along
with its three charting singles “Kayleigh”,
“Lavender” & “Heart Of Lothian” it enabled
Marillion to fill vast arenas around the globe.
Yet, for Marillion it proved to be the beginning
of the end as the pressure of success and
excessive touring ultimately created problems
in the band and led to their eventual split.
Fish could easily have ended this tour in a much
larger venue and it still would have sold-out.
However, the Robin 2 was perhaps the perfect
place to engage intimately with the audience on
such a special occasion. It was wonderful to see
that the fondness for this album was not just
limited to die-hard Fish fans, but it also
resonated with those that kept faith with
Marillion in the intervening years.
History lessons aside, Fish was in his element
tonight. Commanding attention, his voice
having mellowed like fine wine in the years
since Misplaced’s 1985 release. Thankfully
given Fish’s vocal health scares, it was a relief
his voice sounded so comfortable and warm.
Hell, even if Fish’s voice had given out during
the performance the fans would have easily
carried the night by singing every well-known
word of his magnum opus. Unlike the light-show
at the Birmingham Town Hall last year, the
lighting and more importantly the sound, was a
delight at the Robin and it certainly helped
create a magical experience that entwined itself
intoxicatingly around the band. Then all too
briefly it was over, a teary audience and “White
Feather” marked the album’s finale.
performing
Misplaced Childhood
@ The Robin 2
A sold-out Robin 2 marked the end of a long and winding road, one that has
lasted over thirty years, for tonight would be the very last time Fish would
performa full rendition of Misplaced Childhood. Unsurprisingly tickets for this
show were snapped up almost immediately, and with people travelling from
near and far the air of hushed excitement was tangible. Although for many
making the pilgrimage to show the thought of seeing Fish perform was also
tinged with just a little sadness at the end of an era.
