Forward-thinking Marillion promise 'light at the end of the tunnel' with new tour

Much-loved rockers Marillion are looking forward to a brighter future by announcing a new series of shows for 2021.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel tour is scheduled for November next year, culminating in two nights at the London Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith. Tickets go on sale on Friday October 23 at 10am.

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Lead vocalist Steve Hogarth, who also plays keyboards, said: “We’re currently writing album number 19 and, as you might imagine, looking forward with every sinew to getting back on the road and playing it to you. Not as much as my wife’s looking forward to getting me out of the house though!”

Marillion are ’looking forward with every sinew to getting back on the road’ and seeing their famously devoted fans again

Steve is joined in the band by Steve Rothery on electric guitars and acoustic guitars, Pete Trewavas on bass, guitar and backing vocals, Mark Kelly on keyboards and Ian Mosley on drums and percussion.It has been a tough year for many in the music industry, with live shows cancelled since March.But Steve is counting his blessings.

He said: “We are extremely fortunate. We had set aside this year to make our 19th studio album and so we saved up a bit and we budgeted for a year on the ground, before this plague broke.”

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Marillion are grateful for the continued support of their family of faithful fans, particularly the donations from the Couch Convention weekend in September which raised £31,530 for their crew, who have been hit hard financially by the pandemic.

Of the success of the weekend, Mark Kelly said: “What a weekend it was! We were totally stunned and knocked out by everyone’s involvement in everything that went on, from Steve Rothery’s late-night cocktails to Pete’s Bass Masterclass. Ian’s Drum Q&A and my early morning fun run and all the music, chat and fancy dress in between.

“It was fun for us to be in the audience, too, reading and reacting to all your comments as the shows were streamed. The crew tip-jar was overflowing with your generosity, you raised a substantial sum for our wonderful crew. The money will go a long way to helping them survive a difficult year. Thank you!”

Marillion found great fame in the 1980s with hits including Kayleigh, Lavender and Incommunicado.They have enjoyed a unique relationship with their fans for many years. In the late 1990s Marillion’s US following sponsored an entire US tour after an appeal, and the band responded by creating the very first rock ‘n’ roll website in the UK, changing the musical landscape. The support of Marillion’s devoted fans enabled them bypass music industry convention and take control of their own future.

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Away from record company pressure, Marillion launched their own record label and enjoyed the freedom to produce some of the finest music of their career.

They also pioneered crowdfunding with the 2001 release of Anoraknophobia, which was ordered by 12,000 fans a year before it was released.

They returned the fans’ faith with a specially packaged CD with each subscriber’s name included in the list of ‘thanks’.

The 2016 studio album F*** Everyone And Run (FEAR) was Marillion’s most successful for more than 20 years, reaching number 4 in the UK chart.

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It was followed in 2018 by their first-ever concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, a show that sold out in four minutes. Marillion returned to the venue with their With Friends From The Orchestra tour for two more sold-out shows in November 2019.

This relationship with their fans has continued to grow and their popular biennial conventions provide a chance for the band and fans to meet. With a catalogue of 18 albums, not only has Marillion’s music continued to progress and change with the times, but the band have led the way, adapting to the changing world around them while the loyalty of their fans remains undiminished.

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Tour dates for November 2021 are as follows:

Sunday November 14: Hull City Hall

Monday November 15: Edinburgh Usher Hall

Wednesday November 17: Cardiff St David’s Hall

Thursday November 18: Manchester Bridgewater Hall

Saturday November 20: Cambridge Corn Exchange

Sunday November 21: Birmingham Symphony Hall

Tuesday November 23: Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Wednesday November 24: Bath Forum

Friday November 26t: Eventim Apollo Hammersmith (seated)

Saturday November 27: Eventim Apollo Hammersmith (standing)

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