Hope and Glory at the Royal Albert Hall - October 2013

The Royal Albert Hall show
Photo © Maurizio Vicedomini

Steve and Ray Wilson outside the Royal Albert Hall

What an incredibly emotional evening we had at the RAH!

I've been in love with the hall ever since I first saw the interior as a teenager. It was the completion of a cycle of events and the fulfilment of a life long dream to play there. Wandering around the gallery at the top before the show, I had a feeling of vertigo staring down at the stage, whilst gazing up at the mushroom-shaped sound baffles.

I must say, our lighting man Tigger did a great job of lighting both the stage and band as well as the venue itself. Sometimes the upper part of this cylindrical place looked like a flying saucer - Close Encounters meets the British Empire... And did those feet (or was it fingers) tread across that great organ...

The venue is both a Grand Dame and it's own mythical universe; float with the gods at the top, and then descend to an extraordinary subterranean labyrinth of tunnels with beautiful vintage rooms where you can toast the old spirits.

The band and special guests Ray, Amanda, Roine and John were on tremendous form and really turned the event into an unforgettable night... the whole team more than rose to the occasion. Both sonically and visually it was extraordinary. The organ shimmered in beautiful blue above a blaze of light on the screens as Supper's Ready reached its final moment, reverberating around the hall, up into the stratosphere... over the rooftops and houses...

Watcher of the Skies!
Photo © Mini Kingman

Before the show - Steve in the gallery

Special guest Ray Wilson (on Carpet Crawlers & I Know What I Like)
Photo © Volker Warncke

Lee with special guest Roine Stolt (on Return of the Giant Hogweed)
Photo © Angéla Vicedomini