Its very likely that this week I watched Fish play live for the last time nearly 32 years after I first saw him.... It's sad because the big man has been such a presence in my life over the year (Exhibit A - I have a daughter called Kayleigh!)
As such I thought I'd look back at the gigs I've seen and some memories
1989 - Octagon Centre, Sheffield. Very brave to start your first solo tour in camouflage gear and with a cover song (Faith Healer). The set was still top heavy with the Marillion hits (Lavender, Kayleigh, Warm Wet Circles) and great to see the flying Brzezicki Brothers!
2004 - Carling Academy, Bristol. Skip forward to the Scattering Crows tour and we are down to one Marillion number (Market Square Heroes) in the encore. A very muscular set with Bruce Watson on guitar
2005 - Bierkeller, Bristol. The Return to Childhood tour and probably my favourite gig. Plague of Ghosts and the whole of the classic Marillion album. First tour I saw where a female backing singer was used and it really added to top rate band.
2007 - Phoenix, Exeter. First home town gig and the opening video for the Clutching at Stars tour was brilliant. A set list of my favourite solo album and favourite Marillion album was always going to be a winner
2010 - Orange Box, Yeovil. Strange little venue but rare outings for some songs from Suits (Jumpsuit City, Somebody Special)
2011 Thunderbolt, Bristol. An Acoustic Fishheads gig but my least favourite venue probably.
2012 Phoenix, Exeter. Slightly hazy on this one but I do remember a fair few songs from 13th Star
2013 Wharf, Tavistock. The Moveable Feast tour and early outings for songs from that album. Memorable for the impromptu rendition of Lavender after the PA blew!
2014 Phoenix, Exeter. The back end of the Moveable Feast tour and the songs are now tight and sounding great.
2015 O2 Academy, Bristol. The Farewell to Childhood tour and unfortunately Fish's voice sound shot and the venue is too packed to be fun. My least favourite gig
2021 Cheese and Grain, Frome. And so to the farewell tour. His voice is much improved (though the lyric stand suggest the memory isn't) and a set list taken from Weltschmerz and Vigil is superb. The final encore of the Company is a fitting end for band and audience
So thankyou Fish for all the memories and slainte
