Genesis: Successful tour start in Birmingham

The tour has begun: Genesis thrilled the audience in Birmingham with their new stage show and a splendid Phil Collins.

There was a lot of speculation recently, especially about Phil Collins’ fitness. Yesterday, however, the first Genesis show in 14 years actually took place in Birmingham. In the packed Utility Arena, Genesis presented their new show to fans for the first time. The band was obviously having a great time in stage and Phil Collins presented himself much better than many expected. As on his solo tour, he performed the concert sitting down. Vocally, he was supported by two background singers and many tracks were adapted to the possibilities of his voice. Nevertheless, Collins presented a decent vocal performance. His son Nic breathed new life into many songs with his drumming, which is much more his father’s style than Chester Thompson’s. Daryl Stuermer, but also Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks showed themselves in good shape and they simply performed well. During the show, which lasted about two hours and fifteen minutes, the band was celebrated frenetically by the audience. As always, Collins took the audience by storm.

The following tracks were performed:

Duke’s End

Tu It On Again

Mama

Land Of Confusion

Home By The Sea / Second Home By The Sea

Fading Lights / Cinema Show / In That Quiet Earth (excerpt) / Afterglow

acoustic section

That’s All

The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Follow You Follow Me

Duchess

Band Intros

No Son Of Mine

Firth Of Fifth

I Know What I Like (/ Stagnation)

Domino

Throwing It All Away

Tonight Tonight Tonight (edit)

Invisible Touch

I Can’t Dance

Dancing With The Moonlit Knight (intro)

Carpet Crawlers

Fading Lights was part of a medley – only the first two verses were played, after which the band “banged” straight away with Cinema Show. Duchess is a more modern, fresh version of the classic, The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway was presented unplugged in a completely new version and hardly recognisable. At the end of the Band Introductions, Mike Rutherford introduced Phil Collins, and the house went wild and Collins was visibly moved.

Three more songs, two of which are also mentioned on one of the tour shirts, were rehearsed ready for the stage but not performed: Abacab, Hold On My Heartund Jesus He Knows Me.

Strange fun fact: The programme lists Anthony Drennan as part of the live band (he isn’t!).

The tour continues today in Birmingham with the second of three shows. For more information about the tour dates, please see the tour dates page, and you can always get detailed information and (participate in) discussions in our website forum here, where there are also links to some videos.

A few photos: