ArtistInfo

Marillion
Sala Bikini Barcelona, Spain 12 December 2000

Album UK 2003 on Front Row Club label
Rock (Prog Rock)

''In December 2000, the Web fan clubs across Europe organised special shows, in what became the 'Web Christmas Tour 2000.' This was the last show on the tour. The first half of the main set (up to 'Mad') is acoustic, and the remainder is full-on electric. This show features a performance of a then-new-and-unreleased 'Quartz', plus quite a few long improvised jams throughout the show. This set is also particularly unusual because it features at least 1 song from every Marillion studio album to date!'' This recording was made as a reference for ourselves while touring and as an archive of our live performance - it was never planned to be released. We have taken the original recording and 'mastered' it to provide a better sonic experience, however it has not been re-touched or overdubbed in any way. This recording is provided "as is" - warts and all - for your listening pleasure, so please keep this in mind when listening! The Front Row Club is intended for those with "Front Row" passion for the band and it's touring history. And, of course, the future! Thank you for sharing your passion with us. This show was probably one of the most memorable shows I have ever been a part of. The Web Christmas 2000 tour was done mainly traveling by plane - which meant that we could only take the bare minimum of 'unique' equipment, and that most of our equipment was hired. It was also the first time Marillion (as a whole band) had been to Barcelona in several years. During the sound check, though, things started to get strange. While Rothers was checking his guitar, a huge great chunk of air-conditioning duct came crashing down from the ceiling, landing about 10 feet away from him. The hired keyboard we had for H also stopped working (The replacement - which you will hear on the CDs didn't work very well, either - arrived from the hire company about 10 minutes before the show started!), and all the guitars had also seemed to develop a nasty hum. At least the drums worked! But then the gig started - both the band and the audience were on great form, and the atmosphere was amazing. Marillion ended up playing an un-planned encore. But the crowd wouldn't leave, and the band eventually came back on stage for two final songs. . . A few technical notes need to be mentioned for this release, as errors on the original recording could unfortunately not be repaired - it isn't a faulty CD! There is heavy distortion during the beginning of 'Mad', and the end of 'King, due to the tape overloading, and a small glitch during 'Rich' and the end of 'Garden Party'. But we hope these won't take away from the experience of this incredible show. Erik Nielsen

Musicians

	Marillion , *1979 GB album by
	Luigi Colasanti Antonelli photography, polaroid

Producers

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