UK Tour blog 3 - Here, There and Everywhere
October 2022

Foxtrot at Fifty and Hackett Highlights at the Hammersmith Apollo

Steve Hackett Genesis Revisited:
Foxtrot at Fifty & Hackett Highlights at the Hammersmith Apollo
Photo © Adrian Holmes

Hammersmith show

London Hammersmith show
Photo © Jo Hackett


By the time the UK tour reached Sheffield, the band was in fantastic spirits. The tour was going so well with terrific crowds. It was lovely to have my brother John on again with us playing flute for Firth of Fifth in Sheffield. Manchester had an equally great reception.

It was a joy to get back to the bracing sea air of Southend again, followed by Ipswich with its picturesque marina. Both gigs had a great vibe. Amanda Lehmann joined us in Ipswich, and it was wonderful to have her with us for the rest of the tour, with her beautiful voice and shining red guitar...

It was a pretty long drive to Bath but we made it in time for another dynamic show, followed by an enjoyable day off. Amanda, Jo and I found our walk around the Roman Baths fascinating. They're quite extensive, with a very ancient history. The place was originally linked to the Celtic underworld god Sulis, as the thermal baths there are from an underground spring...

Back on the road, we travelled to Leicester, followed by Liverpool. No chance to see those places this time around, but fabulous crowds and band totally on fire! We enjoyed every minute.

From north to south, we reached Brighton in time for soundcheck... and this was the gig we filmed! Again there was a great feel at the show. Several interviews took place both at the show and on the following morning. Always fun to be in Brighton with its funky side, grand old buildings and celebration of the sea, along with the strange contrast between the colourful Palace Pier and the skeletal remains of the West Pier...

We really enjoyed the atmosphere at the Bournemouth show. Our last gig of the tour the following day was in London at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. What an incredible vibe that night... The band were absolutely elated and the crowd were ecstatic! The tour ended on total high! It was lovely to see so many friends there too, and in particular my wonderful mum June.

My thanks to everyone involved on the tour… the band, crew, my wife Jo, Adrian Holmes, Brian Coles, John Giddings, Alan Day and all at Solo and Kilimanjaro...


 
The London show

The London Hammersmith show
Photo © Lee Millward

John Hackett was special guest at Sheffield

John Hackett was special guest at Sheffield
Photo © Lyndsay Radnedge

The Sheffield show

The Sheffield show - Nad Sylvan
Photo © Heather Burns

Manchester show

Manchester show
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Manchester show

The Manchester show
Photo © Ian Heald

Steve in Southend

Steve in Southend
Photo © Jo Hackett

Southend show

The Southend show
Photo © Jo Hackett

Ipswich marina

Ipswich marina
Photo © Jo Hackett

Ipswich show

The Ipswich show
Photo © Jo Hackett

Steve with Jo at the Roman baths in Bath. Photo by Amanda Lehmann

Steve with Jo at the Roman baths in Bath. Photo by Amanda Lehmann

The Bath show - special guest Amanda Lehmann

The Bath show - special guest Amanda Lehmann
Photo © Ellie Clay

Bath show

Bath show
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Bath show

The Bath show
Photo © David Clay

The Leicester show

The Leicester show
Photo © Mick Bannister

Leicester show

Leicester show
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Leicester show

The Leicester show
Photo © David Bellamy

Liverpool show

Liverpool show
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Liverpool show

The Liverpool show
Photo © Mike Ainscoe

Steve near the Palace Pier, Brighton

Steve near the Palace Pier, Brighton
Photo © Jo Hackett

The ghostly Skeleton Pier, Brighton

The ghostly "Skeleton" Pier, Brighton
Photo © Jo Hackett

Standing ovation at the Brighton show

Standing ovation at the Brighton show
Photo © Denise Marsh

The Bournemouth show

The Bournemouth show
Photo © Jo Hackett

Backstage at Hammersmith

Backstage at Hammersmith
Photo © Jo Hackett

The Hammersmith show

The London Hammersmith show
Photo © Jo Hackett

Steve greets his mum June at the Hammersmith show

Steve greets his mum June at the Hammersmith show
Photo © Nad Sylvan

A brilliant night for the last show of the UK tour at Hammersmith

A brilliant night for the last show of the UK tour at Hammersmith
Photo © Jo Hackett