Review: Peter Gabriel courageously looks ahead in Ziggo Dome (concert)

The contrast on the square kilometer could hardly be greater. While Harry Styles (29) sells out the ArenA for three days and screaming fans lie at his feet, Peter Gabriel (73) is looking for intimacy and meaning a little further on. Because where Styles, full of youthful zest, cleverly surfs the waves of commerce, Gabriel has been going his own, slow way since 1977. Gabriel’s working method also produces hits that are still on the set list (eg Sledgehammer, Solsbury Hill, Don’t Give Up), but we don’t see his stadium rocking neighbor playing eleven songs that haven’t even been formally released on album yet. Peter Gabriel gets away with it, with peaks and troughs.

Photography Willem Schalekamp

From the old die-hard Genesis fans and aficionados of the ‘better’ eighties pop, to the youth who have discovered their parents’ records; Gabriel’s audience now spans several generations. It turns out to have a loyal and, above all, patient following. Ten years ago, the British prog and pop veteran last performed on a Dutch stage and no less than 21 years ago his last studio album (Up). That is now changing. While an official release date has still not been announced, most of the tracks are from his forthcoming album io Drop by drop appeared online in a bright-side and dark-side mix.

Peter Gabriel’s music has long been a genre in itself. No one is therefore surprised that the host debuts his full (?) album live. Gabriel takes the time to explain the songs, praises his seven-piece band several times, makes cool jokes and credits the many artists who contributed to the beautiful visuals in a truly breathtaking light show. Due to the lack of pace or tension in the construction of the set, i/o The Tour sometimes resembles a theater show more than a traditional rock concert.

Gabriel starts small, in a semicircle of benches around an artificial campfire. First together with his old, loyal master bassist Tony Levin in the beautiful Washing Of The Waterthen with the whole band in an appropriate, acoustic version of Growing Up. This daring and subdued opening works wonderfully in the grandeur of the Ziggo Dome; it almost immediately creates an intimate bond between spectators and musicians. And for the attention needed to experience the new songs afterwards. This works with varying results. In songs like Olive tree, This Is Home, The Court and io Peter Gabriel draws from a style and sound that are just a little too close to the older work and that ripple along a bit in construction.

That’s where the singer puts the exciting Four Kinds Of Horsesit’s nice and funky Road To Joy and the fragile, almost pastoral And Still (starring cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson) opposite. We also hear surprises in the older work. Don’t Give Up receives a solid soul injection through Gabriel’s duet with the same Witter-Johnson, who can also sing glowingly. Save Rain features a fresh, new arrangement in which drummer Manu Katché takes a leading role and Digging In The Dirt sounds rougher and more compelling than previous live versions. Thanks to the prominent contribution of trumpeter Josh Shpak.

It’s loaded, sometimes almost overwhelming darkness is beautifully provided with visual shadow play, while audience favorites such as Sledgehammer, Big Time and Solsbury Hill get everyone out of the seats. After In Your Eyes closes Peter Gabriel in a traditional way with Bikowhich – although less current at first sight – has not lost any of its musical eloquence.

While some of the new material doesn’t fly and Gabriel ignores the best work from his first four albums, we can’t help but respect his brave choices in this daring set. The right balance between ‘old’ and ‘new’ is also debatable, but the evening is in any case in stark contrast to the sentimental visit from his old employer a year ago. Where Phil Collins was forced to say goodbye, the other ‘dinosaur’ – yes, really, these are his own words – prefers to look ahead. It took a while, but with his best live band and most exciting presentation ever, the sacred campfire in Peter Gabriel is far from being burned out.

We’re curious to see where Harry Styles will perform when he’s 73.

Seen: June 5, 2023 at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam