Words/Photos: Chris Rugowski
https://www.chickenortheeggphotography.com/
Prog rock masters Porcupine Tree took over Marcus Performing Art Center in Milwaukee, WI, USA on Wednesday September 23 with over two and a half hours of music and eye stunning visuals. Taking one 20 minute break they played 18 songs. Not originally on their slated tour, they came up from Chicago before heading to Irving, Texas. The night was full of 20-some’s to 70-some’s all who if they weren’t playing air instruments were nodding their head in time with the band. It was obvious the band was having fun playing the show. Despite the serious nature of the music, there was an air of fun, excitability, and enjoyment to play the songs. Especially after 12 years of hiatus.
With a light show to compliment the nature of the night, the show started off with “Blackest Eyes” and went straight into two tracks, the singles from their new album “CLOSURE / CONTINUATION”, “Harridan” and “Of The New Day”.
Playing the majority of the new album they also incorporated many songs from throughout their elusive career. Hits to the fans in some way or another, despite having no “hit singles per se” per se. The packed crowd stood the entire time, even though it was a seated venue. As singer Wilson said before “Anesthetize”, notably their longest song of the night coming in at just about 18 minutes, “You’ve been very good to us, standing most of the time. But this song is long, it starts out soft, gets heavy metal, like really heavy metal and then there’s this weird soft and long part at the end. So if you want to sit down I’d understand.”
After this 18 minute rock filled serenade, they went straight into “I Drive the Hearse”, a song that doesn’t appear to have made many setlists on their tour so far. A great treat to hear. As they came to the last song of the night, Wilson took note of the “Porcupine Tree Museum of Shirts” that were found throughout the audience as well.
Any fan of this band, no matter how long you’ve been a fan, will want to check the tour out. Time will tell if they continue to rock out as Porcupine Tree or if this last tour is it.
If “CLOSURE / CONTINUATION” is any symbolism for the future of the band one can hope they continue to find the inspiration to write new music as a trio.
Find their remaining tour below:
PORCUPINE TREE: CLOSURE/CONTINUATION
SEPTEMBER
28 – San Francisco, CA – The Masonic*
30 – Los Angeles, CA – Greek Theatre*
OCTOBER
4 – Mexico City, MX – Pepsi Center^
7 – Santiago, CL – Movistar Arena^
21 – Berlin, DE – Max Schmelinghalle
23 – Vienna, AU – Gasometer
24 – Milan, IT – Forum
27 – Stockholm, SW – Globe
28 – Copenhagen, DK – Falkoner Theatre
30 – Katowice, PO – Spodek Hall
NOVEMBER
2 – Paris, FR – Le Zenith
4 – Stuttgart, DE – Porsche Arena
6 – Oberhausen, DE – KP Arena
7 – Amsterdam, NL – Ziggodome
9 – Zurich, CH – Halle 622
11 – London, UK – SSE Arena, Wembley
Keep up to date and find ticket purchase links here, https://porcupi
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