Well, I'm feeling a little gentle this morning, so forgive any blazing spelling/grammar mistakes!
What a quality night we had watching Porcupine Tree last night. Their opening act was a Spanish group called Amplify (I think) - nothing memorable, apart from the bass player who looked so stoned at one point I thought he was going to topple over
Once PT came on, the place exploded. We were stood off to one side, about 5 yards from the stage and cos we spent most of the warm-up act getting steadily drunker and by the time PT took the stage, the place was heaving - far busier than any other night I've been in there (Carling Academy in Newcastle if anyone was wondering).
They opened with Fears of a Blank Planet and (to my admittedly poor recollection) they played everything off the new album during the course of the evening. My brother and I both had tracks we wanted to hear - I wanted Arriving Somewhere (I only have the new album and Deadwing) while my bro wanted Blackest Eyes (I think it's called that, it was a bit loud
). He got what he wanted, but I didn't. There was plenty of older stuff - he played Open Car too, which I'd mentioned on the way there from the pub (and listened to on the walk into town), so that was canny. The guitarist actually sang a fair part of some songs and had a good voice, while SW bounced around with an acoustic guitar
That drummer is seriously good as well.
As for the genre question, SW turned around at one point and said "More heavy metal later..." - so I think he recognises they're a big mix of all sorts of music. I have to admit, he is one talented singer/songwriter - I'm heading out later to get their entire back catalogue and spend a weekend in musical bliss!
In short, very, very impressive (and tight as hell too!) - they rocked! In my opinion, they seriously deserve to be a lot bigger than they are. Class act.
