Artists: Marillion / Haunt The Woods

Venue: Manchester: Bridgewater Hall

Date: 17 September 2026

It’s been a long five years since Marillion graced us with a full UK tour and this time around they’re supposed to be promoting a new album, however it’s not completely finished yet so the loyal legions of followers will happily make do with a plethora of classics from their extensive back catalogue. My wife asked if they would play ‘Kayleigh’, to which I politely chuckled.

Haunt The Woods open proceedings and treat us to half a dozen songs during an all too brief thirty-five minute set. The band from Cornwall really impress the sold-out crowd with their mixture of Prog, Pop and Folk. Singer Jonathan Stafford has a great voice, powerful at times and softer when required. They totally deserve their standing ovation, and I look forward to seeing them again.

Twenty five minutes later the lights dim and it’s time for the main act. Vocalist Steve Hogarth (H) walks out and sits himself down on a stage prop whilst singing the first few lines from their seventeen minute epic ‘Gaza’, which is now even more poignant than fourteen years ago when it was originally released. Mark Kelly’s subtle keyboards weave intricately throughout whilst the rhythm section of bassist Pete Trewavas and drummer Ian Mosley hold things together, as Steve Rothery stuns us with several guitar solos. H adds a little banter once the raucous crowd have quietened down and dedicates the track to Ed Sheeran which has us in hysterics, Hogarth would have no problem being a stand-up comedian if he wasn’t fronting one of Prog’s finest. It’s hard to believe that he is seventy years old and has been the lead singer of the band for thirty seven years, as it’s very rare these days to have a steady line-up for all that time.

‘Seasons End’ contains plenty of majestic keyboard work from Kelly and ‘You’re Gone’ has a haunting vocal from H and also some questionable dancing from the frontman; it’s a beautiful tune which is totally appreciated by the crowd. Next up is a new song, ‘Ribbons And Lace’, which is pleasant enough and will be featured on the aforementioned album next year. ‘Afraid Of Sunlight’ is another crowd favourite and H totally owns it. ‘Built-in Bastard Radar’ is an unusual number for Marillion – not really Prog, more bluesy Rock, but it gets the crowd going, as if we needed any encouragement, and Trewavas amusingly points out that H has a cowbell. We’re then teased to a snippet of ‘Don’t Fear The Reaper’ before H introduces ‘Care’ which is dedicated to the NHS staff who were working during Covid. The lengthy number was released on ‘An Hour Before It’s Dark’ during the pandemic and deservedly receives a standing ovation. Rothery’s guitar work is stunning and the lighting is outstanding.

‘Easter’ is fantastic; H doesn’t sing too much as he leaves it to us, and we don’t disappoint… obviously. The main set is drawing to a close and we get ‘Wave’, ‘Mad’ and ‘The Great Escape’ from the ‘Brave’ album. Another well-deserved standing ovation and the band leave the stage to return a few minutes later for two crackers from ‘Seasons End’; ‘The Release’ and ‘The Space…’, the crowd are up on their feet and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Marillion always put on a fantastic show - almost two and a quarter hours of amazing music from a super talented band, fronted by the enigmatic Steve Hogarth. Miss at your peril.

Az Chaudhry