Return To Eden



It took me some time to come up with a review for this concert. It was great to go to London after more than ten years. And during your stay get a change to see one of your favorite bands makes it more special. We arrived in time to have a quick dinner down the road at Fogg. A nice restaurant with a card referring to the travel Phileus Fogg undertook according to Jules Verne’s book Around The World In 80 Days. They’ve got meals from all the continents Philieus Fogg crossed during his trip. You can choose your own courses or decide to take a complete meal.

When I entered the Roundhouse I was able to get a last soundbit of the support, Anne-Marie Helder, who sounded dreadful. I was glad I had spent the duration of her performance to some quality time in a nice restaurant.

At a quarter after eight the lights dimmed and Ultravox stepped on stage and took off with Astradyne. From that moment the atmosphere was great. Both band and audience were enjoying the gig. Billy Currie was met with great applause and jelling when he took his violin and walked to the edge of the stage. For the next nearly two hours it was a walk down memory lane with highlights of the Chrysalis period of Ultravox. The emphasis of the setlist layed mostly on the albums Vienna and Rage In Eden, while Quartet and Lament were presented by the singles only. The sound was very good, with the real highlights being Visions In Blue, Rage In Eden, Hymn and the second encore The Voice, which contained the full percussion ending.

It was great seeing the band again after 25 years, when I visited them in Vredenburg, Utrecht during the Lament tour. This time they did it as a four piece, then they were assisted by The Messengers on keyboards and backing vocals. I was really impressed, and except for Your Name (has slipped my mind again) enjoyed all the tracks they played. The audience was outstanding, cheering a lot, which resulted in a very enthousiastic band as well.

Band:

Warren Cann - Drums, percussion, vocals
Cris Cross - Bass, keyboards, b. vocals
Billy Currie - Keyboards, violin, b. vocals
Midge Ure - Vocals, guitar, keyboards

Setlist

Astradyne +
Passing Strangers +
We Stand Alone #
Mr X +
Visions In Blue *
The Thin Wall #
I Remember (death in the afternoon) #
Rage In Eden #
Lament $
One Small Day $
All Stood Still +
Your Name (has slipped my mind again) #
Vienna +
Reap The Wild Wind *
Dancing With Tears In My Eyes $
Hymn *

Sleepwalk +
The Voice #

+ Vienna (1980)
# Rage In Eden (1981)
* Quartet (1982)
$ Lament (1984)

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