Live Review: Peter Gabriel – Oberhausen 2012

Written by Sebastian Huhn Saturday, 05 May 2012 12:09

König-Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
3rd May 2012
Peter Gabriel & The New Blood Orchestra

PETER GABRIEL is an English musician and video-artist. He was known in the 1970s as front man and foundation member of the band GENESIS. After he left GENESIS in 1975 he began a very successful solo career. For his music, which cannot really be assigned to one style direction only since it is rather a mixture of Pop, Rock, New Age and clear influences of World Music, he received numerous prices. Also PETER GABRIEL is a great fighter for human rights, working with Amnesty International among others. Following his mammoth project ‘Scratch My Back’, primarily containing other artists cover versions of his songs; he took the next step with the second part ‘New Blood’ where he would present his takes on other people’s songs with an orchestra. Of course, this screamed for a live presentation, one of which we were lucky enough to get a chance to see for you in Oberhausen. http://www.petergabriel.com/ / http://www.facebook.com/PeterGabriel

Music & Performance
The stage was all set when I entered the arena, having a seat very close to the stage. At this point there was hardly anything to see but a wide wall drenched in red and a piano. Soon enough, PETER GABRIEL would announce ROSIE DOONAN to do a few songs for us. It was a little prelude of two songs that introduced a wonderful, angelic voice to us. Seemingly seconds after she had disappeared the first chords of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ sounded from behind the red wall which soon presented various colourful patterns until it revealed the full stage - ¾ of it filled by the new blood orchestra - under thunderous applause and Gabriel gracefully performed vocals on the majestic version of that song. One very old song of Peter’s repertoire followed with ‘Wallflowers’ carried on piano and strings. A feeling of drama entered the room on ‘Après Moi’, a song that was re-arranged in a way that it used the full bandwidth of dynamics an orchestra can offer.



Between the songs PETER GABRIEL would treat the audience to German introductions he would read from a few pages with not a too harsh accent in it. It lightened up the moods between some seriously moving songs. Moving is just the right word at the right time with ‘Secret World’ approaching and a vibrant percussion section adding a sense of rapid movement even for Peter, culminating in a grand finale. One highlight in a series of highlights was following right up with ‘Signal To Noise’. Rarely had I seen such a compelling live rendition of a song. Everything was flowing together to a wall of sound that easily penetrated all defences you could possibly come up with. I’m still getting goose bumps merely thinking about when I was there. Afterwards, it was hard to calm down after those amazing past minutes but ‘Downside Up’ managed to get you there somehow. Perhaps, due to its more intimate build the female vocal colours in it. Correct me if I’m wrong but it must have been his daughter Melanie.



‘Mercy Street’ was majestic in its delivery brining to the forth beautiful flute sections for the first time before ‘Rhythm Of The Heat’ had a tapping improvised rhythm for us in stock. Arriving at ‘Solsburry Hill’, the people couldn’t resist standing up and moving along to the waves just as the protagonists front of the stage were doing it, additionally adding a clapping choir. Afterwards, the performance was righteously applauded. Following ‘Biko’ had a rather serious background being dedicated to Steve Biko, an anti-apartheid activist who died shortly after an interrogation in a prison. Eventually, close to the end of the song, the audience joined in the singing and raising their fists. The show had nearly reached its end, but still there were three songs left to go, one of which wouldn’t be soon forgotten. The name is ‘Don’t Give Up’, a duet with ROSIE DOONAN, a heart-rending performance and the chemistry between the two in that act matched perfectly. The song to “send us out into the night and to bed” was named ‘The Nest Sailed Sky’, a serene instrumental wherein peter Gabriel would be playing a few piano chords for us.



Well, even after a few hours are between me and the show now I don’t think I can find appropriate words to sum it all up now. I’m just happy I was part of that special evening which will be remembered by everyone who’s been there-

Setlist
01. Heroes (David Bowie cover)
02. Wallflower
03. Après Moi (Regina Spektor cover)
04. Intruder
05. San Jacinto
06. Secret World
07. Signal To Noise
08. Downside Up
09. Digging In The Dirt
10. Mercy Street
11. Rhythm Of The Heart
12. Red Rain
13. Solsbury Hill
14. Biko
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15. In Your Eyes
16. Don’t Give Up (duet with Rosie Doonan)
17. The Nest That Sailed The Sky

Rating
Music: 10
Performance: 10
Sound: 10
Light: 10
Total: 10 / 10



All pictures by Daniela Vorndran (http://www.vorndranphotography.com / http://www.black-cat-net.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/vorndranphotography / http://www.facebook.com/blackcatnet)