Review MARILLION “An Hour Before It’s Dark: Live in Port Zélande 2023”

British prog rockers Marillion played three different shows at Center Parcs, Port Zélande in the Netherlands from March 17th to March 19th. It was the Marillion weekend that offered fans of the band numerous songs from different eras of the band, and it was the second night that put the focus on the “An Hour Before It’s Dark” album.

The pioneers of progressive rock presented the entire album, starting with “Be Hard On Yourself” with its three chapters. Equipped with excellent sound and supported by visuals on a huge digital backdrop, Marillion delivered a stunning night that also included a short ‘thank you’ to Leonhard Cohen during ‘The Crow and the Nightingale’.

In addition to the latest song, the band also added a couple of extra songs to the setlist for the encore. “Estonia”, taken from “This Strange Engine”, started the encore in a gentle way and gave way to “Afraid of Sunlight”. The clapping audience reflected the enthusiasm of everyone present and it was the rocking “Separate Out” that heralded the end of a special night. Enriched with a snippet of Led Zeppelin’s legendary “Kashmir”-riff, Marillion also showed where some of the band’s roots can be found before a special night came to an end.

The second night of the Marillion Weekend 2023 was a holistic experience, with exquisite songs and a great visual impact. And as this show is now available in various formats, Marillion fans who couldn’t make it last March have the opportunity to catch up and enjoy ‘An Hour Before It’s Dark’ in an exciting live setting.