Ed’s Letter

Hello, and welcome to the new issue of Prog. I hope this new issue finds you well. I still remember buying Genesis’ Nursery Cryme album – at the secondhand record stall in Watford Market some time in the early 80s. At that point my Genesis experience amounted to Duke, Abacab and Three Sides Live. But the latter’s fourth side, featuring older material, had struck quite a chord, especially Fountain Of Salmacis, which remains my favourite Genesis track to this day. So in I went… and I’ve never looked back.

This issue we explore Nursery Cryme as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. The album on which the perceived ‘classic’ fivepiece line-up came of age and on which new guitarist Steve Hackett and drummer Phil Collins made their debuts, setting the band off on an amazing journey.

Also this issue we bring you our Back To Live report. As I write this, restrictions in England are on the verge of being lifted and live music can finally return as part of our lives once more. Our report explores what this might mean for the prog community: for prog artists, those who promote prog gigs and festivals, and, just as importantly, the fans. What will gigs look like now? What about safety precautions? Will the fans even return? Our report answers these questions as things stand today. We hope you find it as interesting as we did compiling it.

Of course there are also loads of interviews with prog artists for you to enjoy: Bill Nelson, Opeth, Marco Minnemann, Trifecta, Nirvana (no, not that one!), Harmonium’s Serge Fiori, Tusmørke, Amon Tobin, Matt Berry, Amorphous Androgynous and more.

We’re back with more great coverage of progressive music on September 10. Until then, stay safe and prog on…