Space Rocks
London, O2 Indigo
A day of science and discussion is rounded off by a trio of prog explorers.
You know it’s Space Rocks because there’s an actual rocket on stage. A 10:1 scale model of the European Space Agency’s Ariane 6 monster, it provides a suitably stellar backdrop for a day that brings ESA’s scientists together with some of progressive music’s leading lights. As public relations exercises go, it’s undoubtedly an inspirational one. “We build rockets, and we go and explore,” explains the agency’s Mark McCaughrean, “but it’s your money.”
Australia’s Voyager provide initial lift-off, with guitarist Simone Dow a blur of savage riff and flying hair. Next up are Amplifier, who’ve briefly reverted to their original threepiece incarnation, so there’s slightly less Visceral Rock Power on show and more emphasis on the atmospherics. As befits such celestial circumstances, Interstellar burns with vivid intensity.
The theme continues as Anathema arrive onstage to Hans Zimmer’s Stay from the movie Interstellar. The band have worked with visual artist Kristina Pulejkova, taking archive ESA footage and turning it into a video backdrop that matches the mood and momentum of the material, and the set slowly builds towards a euphoric climax. Springfield, A Natural Disaster and both parts of Untouchable are transcendent, while a rapturous cover of Pink Floyd’s Keep Talking – Vincent Cavanagh dedicates it to “all the kids who came today and are inspired to think freely” – closes the night.