I attended the gig on Sunday with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and perhaps some trepidation, not knowing exactly what to expect.
Previous experiences with Orchestras at 'Rock' gigs have brought mixed feelings so boldly stating -No Guitars, No Drums was a brave statement from the outset.
The first half of the set, basically a track by track run through of the album, was very intense. The interpretations insist that you pay attention and listen to the lyrics, The Orchestra certainly adds another dimension to the interpretations and live, it was even more powerful. Standout numbers for me included Listening Wind, Flume, The book of love and Cage , which I found much more powerful live than on the album.
The shows second half was unpredictable and surprising, San Jacinto was mesmerising in it's arrangement, crowd pleaser - Solsbury Hill lightened the proceedings, In your eyes had the audience participation boxes ticked. The Ovo tracks paid appropriate homage to the venue's history and the duet with Ane Brun on Don't Give Up stirred the emotions.
Definitely a tale of 2 halves, but one which I would not have wanted to miss.

I received an email from someone who was, and I've been threatening to share it with the Massive ...

“Ventured with the Mem into the maw of the Great Satan on Saturday to see the arch angel Gabriel. Certainly a different crowd from the Clapton/Beck gig. The Guardianistas were out in force - you know the type: Tony Blair should stand trial for war crimes but Roman Polanski shouldn’t be extradited because he’s an artist, that kind of thing.

First half was the dirge of the new covers album with an excellent video installation and orchestra playing behind a small, grey-bearded, rotund figure who for all the world looked like Terry Pratchet rather than the Crown Prince of Prog. Gabriel’s voice is still strong but his waist line is not.

Second half much better - a very joyous ‘Solsbury Hill’ which raised the tofu eaters from their seats, and a rather affecting ‘Don’t Give Up’ with some Norwegian girl on backing vocals. It was oddly reminiscent of the theme tune to ‘Wallander’ (I do so love Kenny Branagh doing his early middle age ennui).

The Mem of course is not afflicted with anything as self-debilitating as ennui and declared the thing a huge success particularly since Gabriel was trying something daring which, in the end, I think is right.”

I still prefer the 'proper' rock stuff but loved the spectacle that the orchestra provided. It still somehow seemed like a work in progress as i imagine that there wasn't much time for full rehearsals and some of the songs worked better than others. When it did work it had a power and emotional connection that was quite amazing. I'm glad that the old boy's still being experimental and trying new things with his music. I also admired that he left the orchestra to do the encore without him; very generous.