Spring Europe Tour blog 2 - Playing Through the Spring
May 2023

Foxtrot at Fifty and Hackett Highlights at the Utrecht show

Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited:
Foxtrot at Fifty & Hackett Highlights - Utrecht show
Photo © David Clay

Steve at the Eiffel Tower
Photo © Jo Hackett

Utrecht show
Photo © David Clay

Following the Wuppertal band and orchestra shows, we began our European Foxtrot at Fifty tour in Paris. Jo and I had a great day in the Spring sunshine walking beside the beautiful Seine and visiting both the glorious Musée d'Orsay and the fascinating archaeological site beneath Notre Dame square. We always love Paris! The show at La Seine Musicale was wonderful with a massive appreciative crowd.

Then on to Germany! All the those shows had a fabulous vibe... Here is my German blog link

We travelled from Germany to the Netherlands, where we played a fantastic sell-out show in Utrecht to a fabulous crowd, followed by an equally enjoyable gig in picturesque Maastricht.

Following a long but fascinating journey watching the landscape change from wooded hills to windswept coastlines, we were all welcomed into Denmark by the embrace of a glowing sunset. Copenhagen was as colourful as ever... Jo and I with our pal Martin all enjoyed a visit to the famous Tivoli Gardens which reminded me of the Battersea Park and funfair of my childhood. The Copenhagen show was as ever tremendous fun for both band and fans...

Then crossing that spectacular bridge over the narrow sea passage between the North Sea and the Baltic, we arrived in Malmo, Sweden. Both the Malmo and Gothenburg shows went off like a rocket!

The drive from Gothenburg to Oslo was beautiful, passing alongside the coast through forests, then travelling alongside the Oslo Fjord...

Every time we visit, Jo and I see something different. On this occasion we enjoyed the new Munch art gallery, seeing The Scream amongst his many thought provoking paintings. The Oslo show was incredible... every band member was showing his stunning musicianship along with Nad's terrific vocal performance, and the response was ecstatic!

Journeying through massive forests surrounding sparkling lakes, we reached Stockholm well in time to see a magnificent sunset. The following day Jo and I explored those intriguingly atmospheric narrow streets of Stockholm's old town, before leaving for the venue, where the show and crowd yet again sprang into fiery life! The following day we flew over the beautiful archipelago of islands and swiftly reached Helsinki, Finland. Jo and I enjoyed a coffee with Jonas in the sunshine on the waterfront, and took in sites like the white Helsinki Cathedral and the colourful Orthodox Church. The band exploded with feeling once more for the last gig of the tour, to a spectacular response!

My thanks to the band, all the team, Adrian, Brian, John and his Solo team and all the promotors for such a terrific tour.