By Frank Poulin

UK rockers Marillion paid Boston a rare and welcome visit on June 16, playing The Paradise Club after an 8 year absence ~ but given the quality of the performance and the crowd’s obvious love for the band, it was like they’d never left. Kicked off with a great set from Atlanta-based Sun Domingo (themselves a familiar sight, as they’d toured with Marillion on their last visit to the US), the show had the vibe of old friends finally meeting again. And in a real sense, that’s exactly what the evening was about.

Marillion is a band who has endured throughout the decades not because of their broad appeal or huge popularity ~ they have enjoyed neither of those things ~ but because they have never been afraid to let their style evolve freely. Their approach to music has earned them the fierce loyalty of a multi-generational, multi-continent fan base.

At this Boston gig, the band showcased its strengths beautifully and thrilled its fans with a generous 2-hour set spanning their entire catalogue. From the old school Fish-era classics like “Kayleigh” and “Sugar Mice” to more recent hits including “Splintering Heart,” “Afraid of Sunlight,” and the epic “Invisible Man,” there was something for every Marillion fan. We were even treated to a tantalizing preview of the upcoming album Sounds That Can’t Be Made due out in September.

Still present after all those years was the feeling that Marillion genuinely loves its fans and that there’s no place they’d rather be than on stage, giving the best show they can ~ and an amazing show they did indeed deliver, even with bassist Pete Trewavas bravely contributing backing vocals despite being on antibiotics for a sore throat. And when everyone ~ audience and band mates alike ~ started singing “Happy Birthday” for drummer Ian Mosley on stage…well, let’s just say that this kind of smile can’t be faked. Meanwhile, frontman Steve “h” Hogarth was in full, fine form, proving what most of the band’s fans believe, that he is one of those rare singers whose voice actually improves over time, even twenty years.

If you missed Marillion’s passage through our state ~ or even if you caught the show but still want more, more, more! ~ you’ll get another chance to catch the band in March 2013…provided you’re willing to drive up to Montreal for their annual “Marillion Weekend – Montreal Edition” (the only such event in North America). Head on over to www.marillionweekend.com/canada/index.htm for more details; tickets for the 3-day event go on sale on July 10.

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To see more of Frank’s photography, please visit www.flashwounds.com.