Peter Gabriel doesn’t play the game of being a music star in 2023. He rarely does interviews, his soon to be released i/o album is his first new studio collection in 12 years and his current tour is his first since a co-headlining run with Sting in 2016.
So in the pop culture landscape of 2023, where it often feels like you need to be providing content on a minute by minute basis or run the risk of, god forbid, being forgotten, Gabriel’s name doesn’t come up often in discussions of great living rock artists. Other than by his legions of fans, who recognize him as a musical genius.
Those who have waited patiently for Gabriel to reemerge have been rewarded this year with a superb tour, that hit L.A.s Forum last night (October 13). Like everything Gabriel does the three-hour show/performance art piece was well worth the years wait.
Taking the stage a little after eight, Gabriel came out alone initially to talk about the concept of time as being the central theme of the first portion of the show. He played the role of generous host/storyteller throughout the entire show, introducing both almost every song and the gorgeous art pieces that accompanied most of the tracks. As I say this had a performance art feel, but just like with U2’s Sphere residency, the art expertly accompanied and augmented the superb music,
Gabriel and his band opened with the beautiful “Washing Of The Water.” There is an elegance to the best of Gabriel’s music, almost classical undertones, that brings a tremendous sophistication to his songs. Of course, he can still get an arena rocking, as he did with the massive hits “Sledgehammer,” which closed out the first of the two sets, and “Big Time.”
There were countless highlights throughout the show. The ferocious “Digging In The Dirt,” from the very underrated Us album; the gorgeous “Olive Tree” and “This Is Home”; the up-tempo “i/o,” and these were just in the first set. The show had about a 20-minute intermission and then Gabriel and band returned for a hit-laden second set.
The second half of the show saw more familiar songs, like a powerful “Red Rain,” the magnificent “Don’t Give Up,” and the rousing show closer, a superb version of “Solsbury Hill.” The encores were the timeless “In The Eyes” and the anthem “Biko.” The latter, written for South African activist Steve Biko, remains one of the most powerful live songs in all of music. From the mesmerizing drum intro to the rhythmic chant that closes out the song as Gabriel and his band members leave the stage one by one, it is a stirring, haunting call to action.
Knowing that it might be a long wait until the next round, Gabriel and his band give you memories and feelings to hold you over for some time. This is a show that will stay with you, in the best way, for years.