Venue: Cambridge Corn Exchange, Cambridge, UK
Date: 24 October 2024
As a lifelong Genesis fan, particularly of their earlier, more progressive years, the moment I heard Steve Hackett was performing The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, I just had to go. As a core member of Genesis during their golden era (1971–1976), Steve Hackett continues to honour and reimagine the band’s legendary work while showcasing his solo artistry. This dual approach, blending nostalgia with fresh creativity, has continued to pack out venues from here to Japan. This was my fourth Steve Hackett concert and certainly the best yet.
I love Lamb, and this show did not disappoint, delivering a memorable mix of his new material alongside Genesis classics.
The Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Cambridge Corn Exchange is a great intimate venue with a storied history. Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd played his final gig here, and over the years, I’ve seen some unforgettable performances, including Fish, Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, Steve Winwood, and The Cure’s warm-up for their Wish tour. It’s also a convenient location for me to get to, and I never need an excuse to visit Cambridge.
The Cinema Show
Steve’s shows are famously divided into two halves. The first features his solo material, showcasing both his latest work and classics from his post-Genesis career. The second is where the Genesis magic happens, often focusing on a specific album or era.
The opening tracks—People of the Smoke, Circo Inferno, and These Passing Clouds—were drawn from his latest album, The Circus and the Nightwhale. I wasn’t familiar with this release before the show, but these tracks sounded fantastic live and inspired me to explore the album further.
The first set built steadily, peaking with Shadow of the Hierophant. Live, Amanda Lehmann delivered a powerful performance, and as the song progressed, it felt like the bass and sound levels were gradually turned up, creating a deep, resonant hum that filled the venue.
Originally sung by Sally Oldfield (Mike Oldfield’s sister) on the studio recording, this track was a stunning finale to the first act.
And the lamb lies down on Broadway…
After the break, Hackett returned with selections from The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, his focus for this tour. This 1974 masterpiece, often considered the pinnacle of Genesis’ Peter Gabriel era, was brought vividly to life. Nad Sylvan captured the spirit of Rael with his theatrical delivery, and tracks like The Lamia and The Carpet Crawlers transported the audience into the surreal world of The Lamb.
Unexpectedly, the set included four tracks from Selling England by the Pound, a personal favourite. The Cinema Show was especially moving and brought the second act to a close. Can he fail, armed with his chocolate surprise?
For the encore, the band delivered a stunning rendition of Firth of Fifth, followed by Craig Blundell’s dynamic drum solo, which seamlessly transitioned into Los Endos from A Trick of the Tail. I didn’t see that coming!
Every previous show I’d attended had ended with The Musical Box from Nursery Cryme, so this was a great change. The entire ensemble came together for a powerful finale, leaving me thinking this was the best Steve Hackett gig yet.
Steve Hackett Setlist – Cambridge Corn Exchange
- People of the Smoke
- Circo Inferno
- These Passing Clouds
- The Devil’s Cathedral
- Every Day
- A Tower Struck Down
- Bass Solo
- Camino Royale
- Shadow of the Hierophant
Set 2 – The Lamb and Genesis
- The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway (Genesis song)
- Fly on a Windshield (Genesis song)
- Broadway Melody of 1974 (Genesis song)
- Hairless Heart (Genesis song)
- Carpet Crawlers (Genesis song)
- The Chamber of 32 Doors (Genesis song)
- Lilywhite Lilith (Genesis song)
- The Lamia (Genesis song)
- it (Genesis song)
- Dancing With the Moonlit Knight (Genesis song)
- The Cinema Show (Genesis song)
- Aisle of Plenty (Genesis song)
Encore
- Firth of Fifth (Genesis song)
- Drum Solo
- Los Endos / Slogans / Los Endos
