Arena – Mean Fiddler 2005

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On the same night Arena were playing the Mean Fiddler, Disturbed were playing upstairs in the Astoria. Quite a difference in musical styles there, and quite a difference in fan base. And yet, many Disturbed fans were still queuing with the Arena fans outside the Mean Fiddler, some right up until the doors opened. This doesn’t say much for the intelligence of the kids who listen to Disturbed.

Anyway, Arena were to have no support for this show, so we all knew that meant a long set. Two and a half hours without a break, in fact. And it was 150 minutes of absolute perfection. With a setlist of songs from throughout the band’s entire career, and not an overindulgent solo spot in sight (apart from Mick Pointer’s flute solo) the band had no trouble pleasing every fan in the room. Unfortunately it was only half-full, which was a shame but this didn’t seem to affect their performance at all.

Apart from the aforementioned flute solo, highlights of the mammoth set were Witch Hunt, (Don’t Forget To) Breathe, Rob Sowden and Ian Salmon’s acoustic rendition of Friday’s Dream and the classic sing-a-long Crying for Help VII, all played to a video screen backdrop showing various montages of artwork from recent albums Pepper’s Ghost and Contagion. Pepper’s Ghost, being the band’s current album, received a good work-out with new songs Bedlam Fayre, Smoke and Mirrors, Purgatory Road and The Shattered Room slotting in amongst older cuts beautifully. Of all the band members, vocalist Rob Sowden impressed me the most. Before the gig I must admit I had my doubts about him. On the various live releases since he joined the band there have been quite a number of times where he’s cut notes short or phrased lines differently, and this made me question his ability as a live vocalist. These doubts were completely unnecessary as he was in total command from the get go (despite silly wig). An absolutely flawless, majestic performance.

There was, however, one song missing. Of course, even over such a long set, everyone will always name at least one song they personally love that wasn’t played. It’s impossible to please everybody, but I wager the song that would be named most often, were the whole crowed asked, would be Butterfly Man. That omission aside (it’s counterpart, Chosen, from the same album was played) Arena did everything right. A bigger crowd might have prompted Mean Fiddler to book them in the Astoria next time, but I fear the half-sized turnout will relegate the next Arena show to the Borderline or a similar sized venue. A shame, as a band of such talent should be playing bigger places.

Never mind. For those of us with true musical appreciation, we get to see more intimate shows. So it’s not all bad, provided the shows and the albums keep coming. A truly magical evening.

“ perfection ”

Setlist: Bedlam Fayre / A Crack in the Ice / Midas Vision / Elea / The Hanging Tree / A State of Grace / (Don’t Forget To) Breathe / Smoke And Mirrors / Purgatory Road / Witch Hunt / An Angel Falls / Painted Man / Waiting for the Flood / Medusa / Serenity / The Shattered Room / City of Lanterns / Riding the Tide / Chosen / Skin Game / Enemy Without // Friday’s Dream / Crying For Help // Solomon // Jericho

Written by Andy Lye
More: Gigs, Progressive, Arena