Our little hockey-rink here in Pittsburgh, Mellon Arena, is significantly smaller and more intimate than the soccer stadiums I had become familiar with in Europe. As you can imagine, the stage and set-design were reduced to size. Nevertheless, the back-screen and two side-screens were big, bright, and beautiful.
I suppose the smaller venue worked out to my advantage. Sitting 15 rows from the stage, my buddy and I were much closer than I thought we’d be. (My buddy, by the way, is a guy who only passively knew about Genesis – but is now, in his own words, “hooked.” Add one more to the world-wide fan-base!) Very little space between the end of the stage and the first row. And let me tell you, the visuals, the music, the band itself, everything was fantastic.

I didn’t attend any of the other shows, so I guess I’m not in a position to compare, but everything sounded tight, well-rehearsed, and full of energy.

The intro to the old medley was pretty cute. You know: “Anybody old here? Do we have any old-folks in the crowd? Ah yes…you!…yes, you’re old. Any gray hair out there?” Etc. etc. And the medley itself, like all of their medleys, invited goose-bumps and a tingly feeling down the back. Incredible! The visuals during “In the Cage,” a digitized man running behind red bars, was equally cool and creepy, and the sound of “Duke’s Travels” towards the end – followed by “Afterglow,” was probably one of the most intense parts of the set for me. Everyone in the arena singing every word, unable to stand still, the hairs on our arms standing upright.

Finally, as you can imagine, Ripples and Carpet Crawlers were very warmly welcomed, and they nailed ‘em both!

Other than minor technical difficulties with Tony’s keyboard during his intro to the Second Home by the Sea (which was quickly resolved), the show was flawless.

The Setlist:
Behind The Lines / Duke’s End
Turn It On Again
No Son Of Mine
Land Of Confusion
In The Cage / The Cinema Show / Duke’s Travels
Afterglow
Hold On My Heart
Home By The Sea
Follow You Follow Me
Firth Of Fifth / I Know What I Like
Mama
Ripples
Throwing It All Away
Domino
Drum Duet
Los Endos
Tonight Tonight Tonight (intro)
Invisible Touch

I Can’t Dance
The Carpet Crawlers

A selection of 40 photos are now available here!
Concert Discussion here (Message Board)