Following the release of his final studio album, Weltschmerz, Fish announced that 2021 would be his last tour. It’s been 30 years since Fish released his first solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors and Fish promises that the farewell tour will feature a mix of songs from first and last albums with a few from Marillion throw in for good measure.
The evening starts with a short set by Doris Brendel. I’ve seen Doris and her band a few times. She has always impressed me with her music being a mix of folk and rock.
Tonight, is no exception. Appearing on stage flaming long red hair and long coat. The steampunk theme is matched by the other guitarists in hat, goggles and military style jackets. There’s a brief introduction before Doris dives straight into The Other Side of the World and then It’s Never Too Late. Her voice is strong which makes a lasting impact.
There’s a brief pause in which Doris talks to the audience. She tells them how much she and the band love playing in Cambridge and are coming back in 2022. The music continues with Your Everything and Latest Fantasy during which Doris plays a pipe which adds a uniqueness to her music.
A highlight of the set was the drum battle in The One which had the audience clapping along. If you haven’t discovered the voice of Doris Brendel then you really should
Set List
The Other side of the World
It’s Never too Late
You’re Everything
Latest Fantasy
Why Are you Still Here
You Took My Breath Away
The One
After a short break, Fish’s band take to the stage much to the audience’s delight. The current band are John Mitchell – Electric & acoustic guitars (yes it’s that John Mitchell from Lonely Robot, Kino and Arena), Steve Vantsis – Bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals. Spencer Cozens – Keyboards, backing vocals, Gavin Griffiths – Drums, percussion and Doris Brendel – backing vocals.
There’s pause for a couple of minutes as the band realise that something isn’t right, Fish hasn’t come with them. They look around bemused, then a side door opens and on stage steps the man himself to be greeted by huge applause. At over six feet he is literately a giant. There’s a brief hello before we are treated to Grace of God from Weltschmerz. Next up is Big Wedge from Vigil which has the audience singing along, Fish’s voice is as strong as ever. There’s some brilliant guitar playing from John but it becomes evident that the band aren’t there to show off their talents which is a little disappointing.
Before the next song Fish, tells the audience of going to the cinema with his daughter to see Dune. He refers to the original film as rubbish with a skinny Sting. The audience laugh.
It’s back to Man With a Stick from Weltschmerz. At one point Fish is tottering around the stage pretending to be old. There’s another pause as Fish talks about the government’s cancellation of the eastern stage of HS2 and how people are told what they want to hear. He’s not being overly political it’s just a matter of fact. He then launches into State of Mind which he says he wrote over 30 years ago and is probably more relevant now then it was then. I tend to agree that many of Fish’s songs stand up better in todays climate then they did when first written.
We are treated to the first Marillon song of the evening He knows You Know which has the audience bouncing and singing along. There’s a real energy
The evening draws to as close with Fugazi and The Company again with the audience singing and dancing away.
I really enjoyed tonight’s performance which was flawless. There’s a real intimacy between Fish and the audience that I hadn’t seen with other artists. It felt like Fish had popped round your house for a chat and a sing song. Is this the end of Fish? I hope not. He says he’s going to be a gardener in his retirement so we shall see.
Pics and Review by Mark Stimpson
Set List
Grace of God
Big Wedge
Man with a Stick
State of Mind
Family Business
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
Rose of Damascus
He Knows you know
Weltschmerz
This Party’s Over
View From A Hill
A Gentleman’s Excuse me
Fugazi
The Company
