Hackett, Steve (March 2005)


Date of Performance: March 13, 2005
Venue: Grand Theatre, Verviers, BE

Steve Hackett (photo: John Bollenberg)Exactly on John Hackett's fiftieth birthday Steve Hackett started yet another acoustic European tour. Backed by brother John on flute and Roger King on keyboards, it was a tremendous concert which went far too quickly for all of those present. The "Grand Theatre" is a battered building that most certainly would need a lot of renovation in and around the venue, so surely it'll need a lot of money to get it back in its original pristine condition. Nevertheless this place was simply outstanding to accommodate Steve Hackett and his acoustic trio. Programmed as part of the "Festival de la guitarre" Steve restricted himself to the all acoustic format, getting back to the roots of the guitar so to speak.

The city of Verviers together with Spirit of '66 boss Francis Geron had done a wonderful job putting this festival together. It started on Saturday, 5th March with Jacques Stotzem, Michel Haumont, Giovanni Palombo and Andy McKee, for sure an international combination. The day after, they welcomed the Philip Cathérine trio, with Philip not only being Jan Akkerman's replacement in Focus for a while, but most importantly a wonderful jazz guitarist. Then there was Scott Henderson, Albert Lee, a selection of Belgian blues guitar heroes, Steve Hackett on Sunday, March 13th, to end it all on Tuesday 15th March with a steaming concert by the legendary Hot Tuna. Sadly for me, each visit to Verviers means I have to drive 500 km, which is a thing you don't do as often as you'd like. But for Steve Hackett, I most definitely wanted to make an exception. The last time I met Steve was in Ipswich during the Defector tour, as sadly when he visited Belgium the last time around, I was unable to go.

Steve Hackett (photo: John Bollenberg)Steve was still rehearsing when I entered this baroque building at around 6:30 pm. I was already happy to have found the building in the first place and now I stood there in this velvet seated venue all by myself whilst Steve was warming up. Manager Billy Budis introduced me to Steve after which we spontaneously started chatting. His hands were cold so I thought it had something to do with the lack of heating inside the venue. "Fact is that when I play acoustic guitar for around two hours as I did just now, my hands are always cold," Steve said. "I think it has something to do with the way your hands are curled around the guitar which is different than when you play electric with a plectrum. Also the neck of an acoustic guitar is slightly wider so I believe it's due to the way you have to hold an acoustic guitar when playing it that less blood rushes to your hands resulting in cold hands in the end." Interesting! And it wouldn't end there as I followed Steve to his shabby dressing-room where he started clipping his nails immediately. "If you play acoustic, the length of your nails is very important. Some nails have to be longer, the others have to be shorter. Even the slightest roughness can make a huge difference in my playing, so before the concert I always look at my nails, clipping them whenever necessary. Although I never ate all of my vegetables when I was little, I'm nevertheless happy to have strong nails," he laughed.

Steve and John Hackett (photo: John Bollenberg)Half an hour later than expected, Steve took to the stage on his own, playing a couple of pure acoustic songs. He also addressed himself to the audience, even attempting to speak some French. In fact, the first contact with the public was a mix of French and English. In the end Steve took the smart way out and simply concentrated on his English and his guitar playing of course. Steve told us he wanted to break with the tradition of performing a pure solo guitar recital, that apart from those solo pieces he also wanted to incorporate material backed by his brother John and good friend Roger King. He also told us he wanted to break from the tradition to perform the same setlist night after night. In fact he didn't even know what song to begin with! He also wanted to break with the tradition of having to be completely silent, so if everyone felt the need to cough or sneeze or even swear, he or she could do as he or she wished. John Hackett (Photo: John Bollenberg)Although it looked like he really meant it, he did look a little weird when someone's cell phone went off during "Bay Of Kings." Steve also explained that it was technically impossible to play anything from the then unreleased new album Metamorpheus as this was an album composed for guitar and orchestra with the guitar playing rather low notes. When played on its own, the guitar parts don't sound as well as with an orchestra, so Steve decided only to play a short snippet of one of the main melodies. However, before the concert began, the entire new album had been playing through the PA system.

Roger King (photo: John Bollenberg)During the first part of the show we also got a wonderful medley incorporating "The Red Flower Of Tachai Blooms Everywhere," one of my all-time favourites. A short intermission gave the people the opportunity to spend their hard earned cash buying some interesting merchandise and what better way to open the second part than by playing some Genesis material. Combining "After The Ordeal" (from Selling England By The Pound), and "Hairless Heart" (from The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway), for sure the audience had a field day. Roger King got a short solo spot when he performed the self-composed "M3," a short jazzy and slightly atonal piano piece. There was time for a track out of brother John's recently released solo album Velvet Afternoon, with "Next Time Around," and a wonderful rendition by Steve for the love of his life "Kim." Three tiny pieces from Sketches Of Satie ended this splendid evening, which was over before you could blink an eyelid. It was soothing, relaxing and above all it offered a perfect balance between pure solo material and trio arrangements. The audience wanted more so our three musketeers offered us two more songs the first being "Rainbows," as executed between Steve and Roger, whilst adding John for the grand finale with "Ace Of Wands." Steve Hackett signing autographs (photo: John Bollenberg) The public wanted even more, so Steve delivered "Horizons" as a final farewell. Although everyone even wanted a third encore, the music from the PA started playing whilst the houselights went on. Sadly it was all over. Well, not entirely, as those present were in for a treat. After having met the trio backstage, who had a quick bite to eat and some of our wonderful Belgian beers (thanks for the plug Roger), our friends went to the front of the venue for a signing session. I left there and then, with a pocketful of wonderful memories, and if I'm not mistaken, Steve, John and Roger are probably still there signing albums, DVDs, posters and ticket stubs.

Sincere thanks to Steve Hackett, John Hackett, Roger King, Billy Budis and Francis Geron.


Added: April 5th 2005
Reviewer: John "Bobo" Bollenberg

Artist website: www.hackettsongs.com
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