** NOTE ** Paul Barrie photographed Steve Wilson in Hamilton, Ontario on November 24 while Kevin Barrie reviewed the show the following night in London, Ontario.
Steven Wilson, London Music Hall, November 25, 2018
On a Sunday evening, November 25t, British musician Steven Wilson performed for the first time in London, Ont. He remarked that he had performed in London many times – just not in Ontario. He had performed the previous night at the Studio Theatre at the Hamilton Convention Centre. This represents Wilson’s first foray into the “secondary” markets of Ontario, having previously performed only in Toronto, either as a solo act or with his former band, Porcupine Tree.
It has been a rather big year for Steven, as discussed in my interview with him. His most recent album, To the Bone, is arguably his most successful yet. At the very least, it landed him on British Breakfast Television – a sure sign of increased popularity. It was therefore slightly surprising to see him perform at a relatively small venue, especially considering it meant removing certain visual elements of the show that he has stated he is quite proud of, such as his holographic screen projections. What may have been a factor in this decision is his preference for standing room only audiences (accessibility sections not included).
The show itself ran much the same as his previous Ontario show from the first leg (in Toronto), but there were a few numbers re-introduced that had not been performed in two years, including No Twilight In the Court of the Crimson King.
His three Ontario dates on this leg provided fans in the area with plenty of opportunity to see him, as he likely won’t be returning until mid-late 2020.
Anyone interested in experiencing a Steven Wilson show in their own home can purchase his new concert film, Home Invasion.
All photos by Paul Barrie
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