Steve Hackett - The Glasshouse, Gateshead - 21 October 2026
Walking into The Glasshouse, it felt as though Gateshead had quietly slipped away behind us. For the next few hours, we were transported somewhere far beyond one of the North East's finest concert halls, into the strange, beautiful and often breathtaking world of progressive rock at its most ambitious and rewarding.
Steve Hackett has nothing left to prove. His place in music history was secured decades ago, yet there is no sense of a musician simply trading on past glories. Every note is delivered with conviction and purpose, performed by an artist whose passion for his craft remains completely undiminished.
The evening opened with The Devil's Cathedral, its dark atmosphere amplified by groovy washes of green and crimson lighting that bathed the stage in a gothic glow. The visual presentation perfectly complemented the music's dramatic character, immediately drawing the audience into Hackett's world. From there, solo highlights including "Every Day" and "The Sea Inside" demonstrated the depth and quality of a catalogue that stretches far beyond his Genesis years. Beneath the technical brilliance lies something even more important: emotion. Every melody carried weight, and every guitar phrase seemed to tell a story of its own.
"Ace of Wands" proved another early highlight. Nearly fifty years after its release, it remains wonderfully eccentric, unpredictable and full of life. Few instrumental pieces retain such a sense of adventure after so many decades.
Of course, music of this complexity demands musicians capable of bringing every intricate detail to life, and Hackett's current band is nothing short of exceptional. Vocalist Nad Sylvan delivered his customary blend of theatricality and charisma, while bassist Jonas Reingold anchored the performance with authority and precision. Long-time multi-instrumentalist Rob Townsend added layer upon layer of texture through saxophone, flute and a variety of additional instruments.
Particular praise must be reserved for the band's newer recruits. Swedish keyboard wizard Lalle Larsson stepped into the formidable role previously occupied by long-time collaborator Roger King and did so magnificently, effortlessly recreating the elaborate keyboard arrangements while injecting his own personality into the material. German drummer Felix Lehrmann, replacing Craig Blundell, was equally impressive, combining technical precision with remarkable power and feel.
The first-half set reached one of its emotional peaks during "Shadow of the Hierophant", whose soaring instrumental finale remains one of the most powerful moments in Hackett's solo repertoire. Yet it has to be said that, while progressive rock devotees were completely engrossed throughout these deep-cut solo selections, sections of the more casual audience appeared to be patiently awaiting what everyone knew was coming after the interval.
And then it arrived.
The Genesis classics.
"Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" was greeted like an old friend returning home. The audience hung on every word as the song unfolded with all the grandeur, drama and theatricality that helped make it one of progressive rock's defining works. Flowing seamlessly into The Cinema Show, the performance carried a momentum that completely captivated the room.
Then came "Firth of Fifth".
The reaction was instantaneous.Before Hackett had even reached the famous solo, the sense of anticipation was palpable. Some songs become classics through constant repetition. "Firth of Fifth" became a classic because it is simply unforgettable. Hearing Hackett perform that iconic guitar passage felt less like nostalgia and more like watching an artist reclaim one of the defining musical statements of his career.
Trying to explain "Supper's Ready" to somebody unfamiliar with progressive rock is almost impossible. It is not merely a song. It is a journey through beauty, absurdity, tension, storytelling and triumph. Over twenty-three minutes it twists through multiple musical landscapes, yet Hackett and his band made every transition feel effortless.
It was one of those rare performances where you stop taking notes, stop analysing and simply surrender yourself to the experience.
The sound throughout the evening was superb. Every instrument had room to breathe, every detail was crystal clear and every soaring guitar lead landed exactly where it needed to.
By the time the final notes faded away, nearly three hours had passed.
As the audience rose for a thoroughly deserved standing ovation, there was a genuine feeling that everyone present had witnessed something special. Not because of nostalgia. Not because of history. But because the music still possesses the same power it always has.
It is also worth acknowledging that tickets for the 2026/2027 tour represent a significant financial commitment, particularly for long-time fans who have supported Hackett's music for decades. In an era where the cost of attending live events continues to rise, a night at a Steve Hackett concert is far from a casual purchase.Fortunately, this was a performance that justified every penny.
Beautifully lit, flawlessly executed and packed with musicianship of the highest order, Steve Hackett didn't simply revisit the past. He demonstrated why this music has endured for generations and why it continues to captivate audiences today.
On this evidence, it will continue doing so for many years to come.
10/10 - Storytelling and the enduring magic of progressive rock.
