Porcupine Tree @ Astoria, London 02/04/2005

The mighty Porcupine Tree. They are Michael Akerfeldt's (Opeth) favourite band for good reason. Those familiar with the group need no introduction; no doubt the sublime melodies, flawless song structures and quirky experimentation prevalent in their music have seduced you already. For those unfamiliar with the band, imagine music for the sake of music, made for the love of it. There are no boundaries with Porcupine Tree, the creative envelope is pushed infinitely. With such a flawless catalogue of studio output, the question on this evening was how it would all translate live.

And it was never in doubt. From the moment Steven Wilson and Co took to the stage, the Astoria was mezmerised; instantly transposted to a place where the music was all that mattered. Playing a mixture of back catalogue as well as songs from their forthcoming record "Deadwing", the 'Tree rocked solidly and inspiringly for close to 1 3/4 hours. The new material was a special treat, showing a band who is consolidating their roots whilst still stretching out creatively towards the future. Steven Wilson is doubtlessly a flawless musician, and he's chosen his comrades wisely. Not a note was played wrong tonight, not to say the performance was static and predictable; it was anything but. My favourite moments were "Blackest Eyes", "The Sound of Muzak", and "Trains" off the "In Absentia" record, the latter serving as the evening's finale. When the house lights came up, not a single person was left unmoved. Glorious.

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