it’s a pity that they didn’t look at Steve’s Dates before picking that particular evening.
Such a consideration wouldn't be possible when coordinating postponement of a major tour but it's rough on fans with tix for both.
it’s a pity that they didn’t look at Steve’s Dates before picking that particular evening.
Such a consideration wouldn't be possible when coordinating postponement of a major tour but it's rough on fans with tix for both.
About the additional singers - is that really a problem?
Am I missing something - are people having a problem with there being backing singers?
Am I missing something - are people having a problem with there being backing singers?
Looks great. One thing I have said is that Genesis know how to put on a show and they would adapt to make sure aging and illness doesnt detract . I'm all for doing things in new ways .really looking forward to it.
I have to say that I am not looking forward to the backup singers. Pink Floyd had backup singers on their studio material so that would be expected and their music suits it pretty well in some cases. Phil had them on his own material so that would be expected. But Genesis music doesn't really need backup singers unless Phil's voice really isn't up to the task. In past cases of songs with backup singing on studio versions, when played live Phil would handle the main parts and Tony/Mike/Daryl would handle the rest. Some cases the backup vocals would be left out and it worked just fine.
I remember the Police bringing on backup singers and it was just awful. I fear something similar for Genesis...
I think backing singers should be great, to be honest I’d rather have them to fill the sound out if Phil’s voice is fragile - no worries on that department bring them on. The only issue is what songs will they sing on?. Was looking at the usual shoe ins for set lists and I’m having trouble seeing any?.
If they did “ Many Too Many” for a change that would be great with backing .
The backing vocalists have caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth on Facebook based Genesis fan groups....often by the very same people who ask that Genesis "do something different with the songs" on this tour. For fans of "progressive" music.....some people do prefer to stick Genesis in a sealed jar labelled "1972".
My take is that they are finally trying something a little different on tour, but some people don't like it. I can think of several songs where backing singers would be appropriate, not because Phil can't sing but because the original recorded versions had harmonies or Phil/Pete doubling the vocals. But if they've decided to add some extra vocals to Invisible Touch, maybe it will work? We do know that Tony really doesn't like doing backing vocals, and perhaps he's finally decided "no". Possibly Mike too.
Regarding the unfortunate clash of cates with Steve....I am sure Tony Smith and everyone concerned will have been aware. They will be working with the venues which will have rescheduled every act which wanted to hire them in the last 12 months. It is likely that it simply wasn't possible to avoid a clash or two. I'm sure they're aware that there are a good number of people who would book tickets for both Genesis and Steve.
On the other hand ... will those shows take place in September already anyway?
Given current thinking, I suspect not. They're still just avoiding the "refund" button!
Am I missing something - are people having a problem with there being backing singers?
Some people will have a problem, others, who have observed the likes of Barclay James Harvest (whose backing singers have included Sam Brown of "Stop" fame) and the Moody Blues both take this step around the same time, or earlier, than Pink Floyd, will realise it's just an enabler to a better sound.
BJH & MB both likely did it for the same reason as Floyd, having lost vocalists (Wooly Wolstenholme and Mike Pinder respectively) but since Genesis were never big embracers of backing vocals anyway, they've not felt the need before. Now Phil is struggling a bit more (He is, fact!) I guess they've seen it as a way of enabling a better sound too.
backing singers are fine...seen them used various bands..elo worked well. And will probably have better voice than TB...no offence!. And as others have said may mean that they can play songs that Phil might have struggled with on his own. Bring it on...anything must be better than another night in😊
Display MoreWell now we know the dates have been posponed.
I think the stage looks great...really imaginative with the movable "dominoes" above providing lighting effects and what looks like front projection plus video screens behind them. It looks more clean than the setup for TIOA.
A few more points/observations
1. They have already spent a lot of money having this stage setup designed and built. We know the design process takes weeks and a LOT of money. The build process likely wasn't cheap either. They fully intend to tour....and to take that stage out more than the small number of dates so far announced. I'm sure they are rich enough to pay everyone off without touring but the intention is to tour....calls to cancel it or miffed fans saying "It's going to be cancelled" are wide of the mark.
2. In all likelihood they'll tour in the manner Phil was touring up to 2019. A few weeks on, a couple of months off to recuperate....a few weeks on again, perhaps a different country/continent. I can see them doing Britain and Ireland first....Continental Europe in a second leg perhaps over Christmas or early 2022....the USA and Canada....taking breaks between legs just like Phil did. What Phil has proved is that you don't need a juggernaut 9 months of constant touring. You can spread it out, giving ample time to rest and see family.
3. I'm fascinated by the imagery in the 50 second clip.
3a. The concrete slabs falling one after another are surely going to accompany Domino.
3b. I think the hundreds of masked men and what looks like some government type building are Land Of Confusion
3c. The red eyes and face.....now this really is interesting. The face kind of looks like the Squonk as drawn on the TotT cover. But the red eyes look positively evil and the squonk isn't evil at all. Could it be for the 666 section of Apocalypse in 9/8? We know at least Phil and Tony want to do part of Supper. Is it Watcher of the Skies? Nic is known to be a fan of this song, and of drumming on it. Perhaps an instrumental version as Phil has never sung this? Is there a small chance it's a wolf from White Mountain? One eye is more red than the other..."one eye"? Or is it a new sinister face for Mama? Or for Second Home By The Sea? It could feasibly fit any of these. Could it even be the Old Man from Musical Box? Though those evil eyes suggest something more sinister.
4. What little we can hear sounds great.
5. Backing singers have caused great consternation. I don't understand why, Pink Floyd had a whole group of them from 1987 onwards. It doesn't necessarily mean Phil can't sing. We know he can. A lot of the Gabriel era songs Phil doubled Pete's vocals or sang an octave higher or did some vocal harmony. The backing singers could be brought on to achieve this. On some later songs Tony sang backing vocals. We know Tony doesn't really enjoy this so perhaps the backing vocalists are there to sing some of his parts? Or maybe they've done some totally new vocal arrangements with some singing of notes (rather than words) on some of the instrumental tracks? Or maybe they really *are* doing White Mountain and they need someone to be the "Anthony Phillips Male Voice Choir".
Thoughts?
As someone mentioned before as soon as I saw the red eyes the first thing I thought of was “Squonk,” although given that the character in the song is described as shy and retiring I’m not sure it fits. Still, I’d take it in a heartbeat if they play it! Still (im)patiently waiting for a US leg to be announced . . .
Ok, I gotta admit I’ve watched the clip 5 times and I still don’t see the back-up singers. It’s becoming like one of those paintings where everyone else sees something in it except me lol. Would some kind soul direct me to where I should be looking in the clip when the back-up singers are visible? Thanks.
Ok, I gotta admit I’ve watched the clip 5 times and I still don’t see the back-up singers. It’s becoming like one of those paintings where everyone else sees something in it except me lol. Would some kind soul direct me to where I should be looking in the clip when the back-up singers are visible? Thanks.
Look at 9 seconds in, between Daryl and Mike you will see them. At 48 seconds you can also see them to the left behind Phil.
As someone mentioned before as soon as I saw the red eyes the first thing I thought of was “Squonk,” although given that the character in the song is described as shy and retiring I’m not sure it fits. Still, I’d take it in a heartbeat if they play it! Still (im)patiently waiting for a US leg to be announced . . .
Why did red eyes make you think of Squonk?
And I wonder if it made anyone thonk of Squink.
The backing vocalists have caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth on Facebook based Genesis fan groups....often by the very same people who ask that Genesis "do something different with the songs" on this tour. For fans of "progressive" music.....some people do prefer to stick Genesis in a sealed jar labelled "1972".
Right ok, I now understand why you refer to people having a problem with it, I was confused as no one here seems to. So far.
I agree, as soon as the tour was announced I liked the idea of it being a very different kind of Genesis show. Well, by default it has to be but if the new lineup means a different kind of set than we're used to, even better.
Ironically those arms-folded prog-head fans you refer to might actually end up getting a bit more of their sacred early 70s stuff than usual.
not useful ... your comment
absinthe_boy you nailed it!
Hi Christian, Apologies. Didn't intend to be that 'harbinger of doom'. Just being honest. I just can't see large events such as these being allowed to happen going forward without certain 'conditions' being met. I hope I am wrong.
Well I intend to go but I won't enjoy it and I'll complain at length that Peter Gabriel has left and they are just no good anymore.
ha ha indeed...and no doubt any song after 75 is awful!...that is the problem with progression 😄
Looks and sounds great. They have a very vibrant sound, don't know if that's just the production, being out of the saddle so long and being reinvigorated, or having young blood on stage to spice things up. Would LOVE to see one of these shows so much, and I can only hope it comes to pass in the way they plan.
The visuals look terrific too, more exciting and dynamic than any other tour based on the videos of them I've seen. Wouldn't mind backing singers at all, it would be very interesting to see how they would use them to augment the sound, as it's not something I think they've done before.
COME ON THE VACCINE, YOU CAN DO IT!!
Why did red eyes make you think of Squonk?
And I wonder if it made anyone thonk of Squink.
the appearance of furry whiskers like the album art on ATOTT.