Genesis Revisited tour launched! - April 2013

MSC Poesia

Blue skies at last!

Steve in the ship's sparkling indoor venue before the show

From the icy wastes of the UK to electric storms in Florida, we flew to the starting point of our tour in the shape of a large cruise ship, due to sail from Fort Lauderdale. You could feel the sense of anticipation between everyone as we boarded the fifteen storey floating giant...

The show's start had an extraordinary feel - as the first chord played 'Watcher of the Skies' the floor shook with the sudden powerful rumble of the boat's engine. Both ship and Genesis revisited tour were launched together. The band's playing was really strong and Nad gave an amazing vocal performance. Audience reaction was fabulous and the magic of that first show will always stay with me.

That night Jo and I woke as the boat hit a huge wave, coat hangers rattled and a large TV fell off its perch. We looked out from our balcony at the stormy waves below clouds racing across a full moon. Guessing we were in the Bermuda Triangle we thought anything could happen...

Despite the wild weather, luckily everything went off fine. We joined the irrepressible Armando Gallo (who shot many iconic Genesis photos) along with his wife Cheryl on a trip to the Cayman islands. We also visited Jamaica, an extraordinary isle of contradictions - poverty side by side with friendly faces, dazzling colours, lush foliage and thundering waterfalls, plus the aroma of ganja mingling with the sweet smell of bougainvillea.

It was great to engage with fans and friends, including guys from the other bands like John Wetton, Carl Palmer and all the Yes guys, and we enjoyed the other shows too. The meet and greet went well and the Q & A session was also fun where I was joined in part by Chris Squire. At this point it quickly turned into a comedy double act!

Finally the clouds evaporated for our second gig, and a bright sun cast its spell. As the sky turned red in the West, John Wetton joined us for a stirring rendition of "Afterglow".

Once back on land, though still swaying as if still at sea, we flew from coast to coast from Miami to LA. The Calprog LA show in La Mirada was packed to the rafters and had a really great vibe. It was fab to be playing there again. Promotor Jim Harrel and his team were really hospitable too and we felt welcomed in to the family...

Our final destination took us through extraordinary scenery. The 'Road to Mexico' took us through cowboy movie desert and dramatic mountains peppered with barren rocks. The Baja festival was as warm as the audience, many of whom had travelled from Mexico City. After that tremendous gig, the next day we bumped into Tony Levin, Pat Masteloto and Adrian Belew who were also due to appear.

Many thanks to agent Wayne Forte, all the promoters, Brian Coles, band and crew. Sitting at LAX writing this all feels like an action packed dream, from the exotic Caribbean to the wilds of Mexico... a week to remember!

Baja Prog show, Mexico
Photo © Ben Fenner

Steve & Chris Squire | Armando Gallo with Steve

Steve and Jo in Jamaica

John Wetton joins the lads