Review PORCUPINE TREE ‘Closure/Continuation. Live’

The architects of exquisite progressive rock, Porcupine Tree, ended a hiatus in 2021 and released with ‘Closure/Continuation’ a next studio album. To promote the album and present the songs live on stage, the band went on tour an performed a show at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam.

The new line-up features with Steven Wilson, Richard Barbieri and Gavin Harrison three core members of Porcupine Tree while Randy McStine and Nate Navarro have been added to the line-up for the tour.

The night in Amsterdam was a special one. First and most important, the show was filmed and is now available as ‘Closure/Continuation. Live’. Secondly and very impressive is the fact of 17.000 fans gathering at Ziggo Dome to witness a show that features excellent music and entertains from start to finish. The scenery was so special that Wilson even mentioned in hois little welcome speech after having played ‘Blackest Eyes’ that it is amazing that in the 12-years absence the audience expanded.

The set was split in two parts with a 20-minute intermission plus an encore at the end. Porcupine Tree played the entire new album but mixed it with the other highlights of the band imposing discography. Hereby it is the 2002 release ‘In Absentia’ that contributed with five songs to the setlist which makes a lot of sense as it was the bands break-through release.

Supported by an excellently designed light show and a digital backdrop, the darḱ and melancholic vibe of Porcupine Tree’s music got an extra boost and made the evening to a wholistic spectacle that can now be enjoyed at home.

Porcupine Tree in their new era is a band that puts music into the forefront. It is less about individuals and egos. Instead, it is the passion for complex and yet catchy music that acts as a glue and that’s also why 17.000 people found their way to Amsterdam in this November night in 2022.

‘Closure/Continuation. Live’ is a timeless capturing of a special show of a very special band. It is a masterpiece of progressive rock that with all the complexity is approachable for everybody. It is music where heart, soul and mind unite; a blend that you don’t find too often in such a perfection.