Genesis returns to the stage after 15 years
British mega group Genesis kicked off its first tour in 15 years with a true-to-form show in Helsinki on Monday, exciting the 35,000 fans at Olympic Stadium with classics such as "Invisible Touch".
Finland`s largest daily Helsingin Sanomat gushed about a "magnificent" show, while tabloid Ilta-Sanomat said the Finnish capital "made rock history" as it welcomed back the legendary band to perform its biggest hits during a two-and-a-half hour show under the midnight sun.
The minutely-choreographed performance featured songs such as "Behind the Lines", "Invisible Touch", and "I Can`t Dance" -- the latter offering the band a rare opportunity to cut loose with some goofy footwork.
The show was performed in the open-air arena under the midnight sun that sets only briefly in this part of northern Europe. Much of the ultramodern light show on stage was therefore wasted in the "white night".
Founded in 1966 by Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford,
Peter Gabriel and Anthony Phillips, Genesis has changed composition several times.
Phil Collins joined the band as drummer in 1970, and replaced founder and former front man Peter Gabriel as lead singer in 1975 when it changed style towards a more radio-friendly pop.
But Collins, Rutherford and Banks failed to convince Gabriel to join forces with the three, since he is touring Europe with his own show this summer.
Instead the group has been joined by two other former members, drummer Chester Thompson and guitarist Daryl Stuermer.
With nearly 130 million albums sold worldwide and 1,400 concerts played, Genesis in 1987 set a tour record with sold-out shows at every arena.
After the Helsinki show, the "Turn It On Again" tour, named after a 1980s hit, will take the band to Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Britain and Monaco before finishing off at the Colosseum in Rome on July 14.
The tour continues in North America from September 5 to October 13 where fans will be able to see the band in Montreal, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Toronto, Washington, New York, Los Angeles, Denver and Sacramento.
|
