Review
Riverside – Toward The Blue Horizon Tour 2017
Leamington Spa, Assembly Rooms, 21st May
Following the tragic loss of the band’s guitarist (Piotr Grudzinski) last year, the future hung in the balance for Riverside and I suspect a lot of fans feared the worst, but having took toll of the situation, they have risen like a phoenix from the ashes. In September of last year, the band announced they would be touring again in 2017 and so, on the 25th Feb this year (the anniversary of Piotr’s death) they played their comeback gig in Poland, which sold out in less than a day and even though they have decided to continue on as a three-piece, have enlisted the guitar skills of a long-term friend of the band, Maciej Meller to join as a “touring” guitarist.
As I had previously interviewed Mariusz Duda (Bass, lead vocals) prior to the gig, I was partially aware of the set list and the reason certain songs were chosen. This is a revitalised band who have decided to embrace the future and tonight we were entertained with a 2 hour set of, not necessarily a “best of Riverside”, but well selected songs that give an indication of where the band see themselves going musically, a journey I suppose…
Interesting, the background music prior to and after the set was from the “Eye Of The Soundscape” album which was released last year, 2 CD’s of instrumental gloriousness !!
The gig was very well attended and although not a sell-out, it was nice to see a room full of fans – young and old, male and female. In fact it was nice to see such variation as the sea of baldness at some gigs is quite overwhelming at times and the glare kills my eyes !! At one point I even clocked a guy pogoing, now THAT is a first at a Prog gig…….
There was no support, the band came on just gone 8.30pm and after a riotous welcome from the assembled faithful (a standing ovation at the start of the gig ?? Marvellous) and a brief introduction from Mariusz, the band launched into the first number “Coda” from their last but one album. There were 12 songs in total, including two in the encore where they revisited “Coda” but with a different edge so we would “leave the venue in a positive mood” apparently….!!
The last two albums were well represented as was “Second Life Syndrome”, but I suspect the harder edge “growly” material has been left well and truly behind. In saying that, it didn’t stop the band from kicking ass at times and although Piotr is sorely missed, Maciej certainly earned his stripes.
The light show was pretty damn good, a very innovative set of three inverted triangles bordered with high power white spots were used imaginatively and effectively, on top of the usual computer controlled coloured spots, they made the best of the venue and certainly helped to make a point at key stages in the evening.
Overall, this was not the best gig I’ve ever been to, but far from the worst. There was an unspoken sense of tragedy throughout and very little audience interaction, understandably, but with the weight of 2016’s terrible losses hanging over them, Riverside are back and I suspect will go from strength to strength in whatever direction they choose to follow and whatever path they walk, there will be a loyal bunch of fans directly behind them.
One final note, there was a double CD live set called “Lost ‘n Found”(recorded in 2015 at 013, Tilburg) available from the Merch @ £20, only available at gigs so this reviewer certainly snapped up one of those…….!!
The Progmeister
